Agnes was popular, gentle lady who was always very welcoming
THE community throughout Bunclody was shocked and saddened to learn of the passing, following a very brief illness, of Agnes Raleigh from 16 St Mary’s Villas.
One of the most highly respected members of the community Agnes, who was very well known and had many good friends in the town, passed away peacefully at 2.45 a.m. on Christmas Day in University Hospital Waterford, surrounded by her loving family.
Kind-hearted and gentle by nature she was someone who adored her family and doted on her grandchildren.
Everyone around Bunclody knew Agnes as being ‘ the most inoffensive and gentle lady’ a person could meet.
Married to George Raleigh, the couple met at a dance in Tombrack in 1968 and were married two years later; on January 13 they would have celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary.
Originally from Ballyminoge, Tombrack, Agnes was a person who lived all her life locally and though she didn’t have too much of an interest in travelling she loved walking and part of her daily routine in Bunclody was walking down the town for shopping and along the way stopping to chat to the many friends she would meet.
She attended school locally and also worked locally at Michael Kavanagh’s and with Mrs Dean on Church Road.
To her family she was ‘one-in-a-million’ but that was also the view held by her friends and neighbours around the town.
She always put others before herself and she possessed that inherent homely quality that made people feel instantly at ease when in her company.
In the Raleigh home the kettle was always on and visitors never left without having a cuppa and bite to eat.
Friendly and amiable by nature Agnes was always willing to help people if she could and there was an unofficial open door policy in the Raleigh household where visitors were always welcome; Agnes was the type of person for whom visitors were just friends she was meeting for the first time.
It was her sincere, genuine and downto-earth nature that endeared to everyone she met and while her family was her true passion in life she loved attending her weekly bingo sessions in Riversedge.
Such was the respect afforded her there and the regard in which she was held by everyone involved with the bingo that a minute silence was observed as a tribute to her following her passing.
She was also proud of her appearance and always liked to look her best. She had an interest in fashion and also loved getting her hair done in Marita’s in Bunclody.
Agnes always had a smile on her face and although she was ill for a short period of time before passing away she never once complained.
She bore her illness with the dignity and lady-like manner with which she had lived her entire life.
Her requiem mass took place on December 28, in Bunclody, following which her remains were laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery.
Agnes’ family was very appreciative of the care and respect shown to her in the professionalism of Dr Stratton and his team of doctors and nurses in University Hospital Waterford, Pat Lennon’s funeral home in Bunclody, Fr Laurence O’Connor PP, Bunclody, for a beautiful funeral ceremony and Fr Michael Byrne.
The family also thanked Dale Hennessy, Pat Gormon and everyone who helped in any way during Agnes’ short illness and commented: ‘We are so grateful and will never forget such kindness.’
Agnes is survived by her husband, George, children, Joan, George, David, Linda, Noel and Evey, sisters, Bridget, Sally, Margo and Frances, brothers, Mick, Jimmy and Willie, brothers-in-law, sistersin-law, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, 13 grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and large circle of friends.
She was predeceased by her grandson, Jason, and by her brother, Tommy, and sisters, Josephine and Marie.
Agnes’ months mind mass will be celebrated in the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Bunclody, at 12 noon on Sunday, January 27.