“Ann had an amazing ability to get things done for her community and bring people with her” - Parish Priest’s moving tribute to Ann Hoey
A REMARKABLE woman, a bubbly, hard-working, always busy community-driven woman, the sudden death of Ann Hoey (64), from Cliffoney, has prompted a tsunami of sadness and a sense of real shock in north Sligo and in her native Bundoran.
Ann, a native of Bundoran, was described as “a lovely human being.”
She passed away in her sleep on Tuesday morning. Since news of her death emerged the communities of Cliffoney and Grange in particular have been recalling her amazing contribution to life in her adopted County Sligo - she was involved in so many aspects of life in her community.
Fr Christy McHugh, Parish Priest in Cliffoney who the principal celebrant at Ann’s funeral mass tomorrow will be, Friday, in St Molaise Church, Cliffoney, said she had “an amazing ability to get things done for her community and bring people with her”.
“Like everyone else in the parish, I was hugely shocked to learn of Ann’s death,” he told the Sligo Weekender.
Remembering Ann, who he knew well, he said she was “a powerful figure around the parish”.
He explained that comment when he added: “She was involved in so many things in the parish, she had an amazing ability also to bring people with her and get things done. She knew so many people, they knew her, she was the fulcrum of so many things, people are struggling to come to terms with her sudden death, it’s a tight-knit community and we all feel a deep sense of loss.
“She had a great year this year also in Mullaghmore with her ‘Ahoy Coffee Cart’ business which was much more than a place that you went for a coffee or a scone.
“It became a hub of sorts, a meeting place, all the visitors, those who are regulars here in this area have described it to me as one of the best things ever created in this area, in Mullaghmore, it brought us all together, we had a meeting place. You went for a coffee, and you met people, got to meet natives and holidaymakers, it was a wonderful place and typically innovative of Ann.”
He said Ann’s involvement in so many aspects of her community were remarkable: “Apart from her involvement in the drama scene, she was deeply involved in various strands of community life, the parish hall for example, she was their anchor and kept that committee together.
“Cliffoney Parish Hall has experienced a huge upsurge in use and is in great condition, Ann ensured that the facility was kept busy and used.
CARING SIDE
“Apart from that she had a natural caring side to her and quietly kept an eye on some people to make sure they were getting help when needed.
“She would be the first in the door to look after a member of the community and she had an amazing energy about her and had a huge positivity to her, it radiated from her and no matter of there was setback she might have to overcome, she just got on with life and lived it to the full,” he said.
He said her passing was made even more poignant and sad as it came after a very sad time for her with the loss of her brother Liam and the death of her husband Seamus’s brother, Paddy, very recently also.
“I received texts from people from Luton where many of her husband’s people are, from Belfast and from all parts of Sligo and beyond who are shocked by Ann’s passing. It's a very sad time for so many.
“She was a lovely human being, a great woman, a marvellous mother, grandmother, sister and much more. She was great fun too with all of that and I know it’s an overused term, but she was a real force of nature,” he said.
THE GLUE THAT KEPT THINGS TOGETHER Cllr Marie Casserly, a good friend who worked with Ann on many projects, said she was “loved by so many, respected by so many.”
She added: “Ann was the glue that kept everything together and moving smoothly in Cliffoney village. She was always in the right place at the right time, appearing out of nowhere when needed and always with a beaming smile and a kind word.
“She encouraged everyone to do what they enjoyed whether that be drama, or singing, organising events, or starting up community groups.
“Ann was always the lady to call when an answer was needed, or advice was sought. She was loved by young and old equally.
“Ann would also be seen very regularly at home and away games over the years supporting her beloved Molaise Gaels and grandson Jack and was always a calm presence when everyone else was getting over excited on the sidelines.
“I wish to extend my sincere sympathies to Ann's family, wide circle of friends and all those whose lives she touched in such a positive way.
“A genuinely warm and caring person, one in a million. Rest in peace Ann.”
DRIVING FORCE IN LOCAL DRAMA
Frank Kielty, well-known director of numerous plays presented by the Cliffoney Drama Group said he was deeply saddened at the passing of Ann Hoey.
“I directed many plays, but Ann was always the driving force behind them, she was a bundle of energy and ideas, always on the go and in terms of our productions, she always looked after all the important details that make a show work. I directed, Ann worked in the role as assistant director or producer, but her enthusiasm was infectious, a real dynamo.”
Recalling just a few of the plays, The Field; Anyone Can Rob a Bank; Mother Knows Best among them (all of which packed Cliffoney Hall) there was one - ‘A Wake in the West’ which saw them perform locally and in Luton to great acclaim.
Frank said he had been reading a new play and was just about to run it by Ann for their next production.
“We always had something on the go, a new play, something different, usually a comedy, and that was the way she liked it, she was a busy woman who loved to be busy.”
He added: “She was deeply committed to drama in Cliffoney, a very hard worker on our behalf with a tremendous knowledge of drama, she would have been well able to direct a play if she wished, a really special person in terms of drama, but also in life, we’re shocked and saddened deeply by her passing, a unique person who had a great sense of fun.
“As many will know she’s a daughter of the late Bilshie Travers, the ultimate showman and performer, so the apple didn’t fall far from the tree with Ann, she was at home on or off the stage and in her own way was the consummate entertainer, we will miss her hugely,” Frank added.
Beloved wife of Seamus and adored mother to Karen (Gary), Stacey (Enda), James (Teresa), Shauna (Vincent), and Aaron (Liadan), Ann’s passing is deeply regretted and she will be forever missed by her loving husband, daughters, sons and her grandchildren Grace, Alanna, Ava, Kate, April, Jack, Ryan, Aoife, Fayna, Doireann, Saibh, Tara and Conor, her sisters Mary and Phena, her brother Des, and all her extended family, neighbours and friends. Predeceased by her parents Mary Kate and Bilshie, her sister Marguerite and her brother Liam.
Reposing at Mc Gloin’s Funeral Home, Chapel Road., Cliffoney on Thursday evening from 4pm until 8pm. Funeral arriving to St. Molaise’s Church, Cliffoney, tomorrow, Friday morning for 11am Funeral Mass. Cremation afterwards at 3pm in Lakelands Crematorium, Dublin Rd., Cavan. Family flowers only. Donations in lieu to the Irish Heart Foundation c/o Mc Gloin.
May she rest in peace.