Margaret was proud 70-year pioneer

Margaret Dolan

THE death has taken place of Margaret (Peggy) Dolan, nee Larkin, on Saturday, 29 September, 2018, in the Lourdes Hospital.

Late of Little Mills, Thomastown, Kilkerley and Barrack Street, Dundalk, Peggy was the last surviving child of Margaret and Patrick Larkin and was predeceased by sisters, Moyra, Jane and Elsie and brothers, Patsy and Tony.

She grew up and worked on the family farm in Thomastown until she married Joe Dolan of Newtowndarver. They set up home in Barrack Street where they reared their family.

Peggy’s main interest was her home and family and she was an exponent of the traditional skills of knitting, sewing and baking. Her homemade brown bread was much admired and sought after.

Peggy was an active member of the Christian Brothers Ladies Committee for many years. She was a life-long pioneer and was the recipient of the Father Cullen Medal in 2015, marking 70 years as a member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Society.

Peggy also had a very strong faith which was demonstrated by her loyalty and affinity to the Redemptorist Community and Church.

In later years Peggy took up painting as an interest and hobby and she spent many years as an active member of the Dundalk Art Group under the guidance of her friend and neighbour Irene Kwiatkowski.

Peggy was an avid reader and a keen walker and had a great love for the Irish language. She provided great guidance and support to her family throughout her life.

Joe and Peggy were very happily married for 47 years until his death in 2001. She was predeceased by her dear son Joseph who taught in the Patrician Brothers High School, Carrickmacross, until his untimely death in 1994.

Joe and Peggy were also predeceased by their baby son Patrick.

She was also predeceased by her son-in-law Tom Gill.

She is survived by her daughters, Margaret Watters, Eilish Reilly and Phyllis Gill, sons-in-law, Tom Reilly and Frankie Watters, grandchildren, Claire, Tony, Aoife, Julie, Daniel, Ellen and Alice, great-grandchildren Ruby, Kevin, Ben and Sophia.

Having reposed at her home, Peggy was taken to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Kilkerley for funeral mass followed by burial in the adjoining ceremony. The celebrant was Father Paddy Rushe. Singing was provided by Deirdre Morgan.

The Readings were given by granddaughters, Claire Morton and Alice Gill. The Prayers of the Faithful were read by grandchildren, Tony Reilly, Aoife Adams, Julie Reilly, Daniel Watters and Ellen Gill.

The Offertory Gifts were presented by daughters, Margaret, Eilish and Phyllis.

Peggy is sadly missed by her loving family and all who knew her.

The Month’s Mind Mass will take place in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Kilkerley on Sunday, 4 November at 10am.