Ballyhaise born May Flanagan found profound happiness in the simplest things in life
MAY Flanagan, nee Oliver, formerly of Ballyhaise, Co Cavan, died on September 8th in her 92nd year. She was a well-known face and prominent member of Tullyallen community. The huge crowds that attended her wake-keeping and funeral Mass were a testament to how well she was held and loved in the community and a fitting tribute to her life.
May was a Cavan girl, true and true, and she was so proud of her roots. A native of Ballyhaise, she often spoke of those good old days in Cavan and how she loved to be in touch with nature – playing in the fields, at times walking barefoot to school, climbing trees and fishing in the lakes. She spoke of the little songs she used to sing while fishing - ‘I got a bite, you got a bite, we got a bite’. Simple, yet so beautiful. ‘ The Shack in Ballyhaise’ was her favourite song.
In her late teens, she moved to Killaneer, near Drogheda, in search of a job. It was here that she met her late husband Johnny Flanagan, who was from Tullyesker. They got married in 1948 and settled in a cottage near old Mellifont Abbey. It was in this home that May was to spend the next 70 years, while Johnny died in 2009. God blessed May and Johnny with 11 children – four daughters and seven sons.
Rearing 11 children was no joke and would have been a handful for any parents, but the Flanagan family couldn’t have asked for better parents. May was always there for them in the home and there’s no doubt they are feeling her absence very much.
Among the symbols of her life carried up during her funeral mass were the violin, the Anglo- Celt newspaper, a loaf of bread and the family photo. May loved Irish traditional music. As a youngster, she played the violin and danced to Irish music.
The violin represents that part of her life. She loved getting the weekly Cavan paper (Anglo- Celt) to catch up on the news and happenings back home in her beloved county. With 11 children to rear and care for, May knew what that meant, and so she put to use her gifts of cooking in the kitchen. She was well-known for her brown bread, apple tarts and buns.
Her family was so important to her. Nothing pleased her more than to have her family gathered around her every Sunday evening in the home. When she was able to go out, she loved the weekly bingo in Tullyallen and attending the regular meetings of the Tullyallen Carers Group.
May is deeply regretted by her four daughters; Marie, Rita, Ann and Bernadette; her seven sons Paddy, Sean, Michael, Ollie, Fr Malachy, Noel and Francis; he sisters in law, daughters in law, sons in law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
May was predeceased by her husband Johnny and her parents Mary Ellen and Paddy.
Having reposed in her home at Old Mellifont Road, her remains were taken to the Church of the Assumption, Tullyallen.
The funeral Mass was celebrated by her son Fr Malachy SMA, assisted by Fr S. Dooley PP and Fr L. Carragher, Tullyallen, Bishop T. Carroll SMA and Fr M. McCabe SMA Provincial Superior, Cork and many other priests from the Society of African Missions.
She will be sadly missed in Tullyallen and further afield, and none more so than her family, relatives and friends.
The Month’s Mind Mass was held on October 14th at the Church of the Assumption, Tullyallen.
May she rest in peace.