Marist played pivotal role in Bernie’s life
Bernie Deery (née Lennon) of Tuite’s Lane, Blackrock, died peacefully at home on 11 March 2021 following a long illness.
From 1977 until her retirement in 2013, she taught generations of students in St. Mary’s College, Dundalk (The Marist). She was also a Cub Scout leader in Blackrock for many years and a volunteer in Dundalk Citizens’ Information Centre following her retirement.
Bernie grew up in Scotchgreen, Kilcurry, the daughter of Paddy Lennon and Eileen Moore. She was the fourth of a family of six children, along with Paddy, Charlie, Briege, Joe and Dermot.
She received her secondary education at the local St. Louis Convent, where her ability and reliable character were recognised when the students elected her Head Girl.
She went on to study for a degree in English and Psychology at UCD, followed by her teaching diploma.
After college, she developed what would become a lifelong love of travel while working in Greece and Germany, using her savings to spend time in several other countries.
In 1977 fate brought her home to Dundalk, where the Marist Fathers were seeking a teacher of English with Remedial skills. Their inclusive outlook and commitment to treating all students equally chimed with Bernie’s own strong sense of justice and fairness, and she applied all her energies to developing this aspect of the school’s care, as well as being a teacher of English to the highest level.
The following year brought Donegal native Daniel Deery to teach French at the Marist, and their strong mutual attraction allied to a large number of shared interests led to their marriage in December 1980.
They were fortunate enough to be able to celebrate their ruby wedding anniversary and 40 years of happiness together just a few months before her death.
As a mother, Bernie lavished their two sons, Dónal and Matthew, with love and encouragement and imbued them with her own values of hard work, fairness, kindness and generosity.
The richness of Bernie’s life was celebrated at her funeral – her love of family occasions, of cooking and entertaining, of sport, music and theatre.
She was an early link to the U.S. Lennons who had emigrated to Michigan several generations earlier, and who made contact again in the early 1970s. This began several decades of visits and holidays as well as many close friendships, and most recently a trip to Colorado, Texas and Oklahoma in 2018.
She followed all sport, but especially rugby, whether supporting Dundalk RFC at Mill Road, Ireland at home or Leinster in Montpellier.
Her love of theatre led to her involvement in local groups, later bringing her skills, encouragement and enthusiasm to regular plays and musicals in The Marist, as well as bringing students to professional productions.
An enthusiastic and imaginative teacher of Transition Year, she scored a remarkable European hat-trick when her students’ projects represented Ireland on three consecutive years, in Paris, Brussels and Lyon.
A feature of the Covid restrictions on wakes and funerals was the huge number of people who expressed their condolences online. They painted a picture of a remarkable teacher, mentor and leader.
As well as co-ordinator of the Marist learning support department, Bernie was at various times Year Head, ASTI school steward, Head of Girls and Assistant Principal.
Many parents and past-pupils highlighted her kindness, fairness, encouragement and good humour, as well as her excellence as a teacher of Leaving Cert Higher Level and her wonderful smile.
One quote read: ‘I often think of the alternative “Three Rs” she asked us to think of when engaging with each other: Rights, Responsibilities, and Respect. With her words she stressed to us their importance, and in her actions, she demonstrated how treating others with this in mind can bring people together and help them thrive.’
Many young teachers who came to the school valued her support, advice and importance as a mentor.
In a voluntary capacity she later served on the Marist Educational Authority, which managed the Marist Fathers’ schools in Ireland. One of her last roles combined two of her loves – acting as mentor and support driver for the Marist group on the Camino de Santiago at Easter 2019.
Bernie’s family, and especially her husband Daniel and sons Dónal and Matthew were her great joy, refuge and support, and their grief at her loss is inexpressible
Diagnosed with cancer in 2008, she recovered and returned to teaching, but this influenced the decision of the couple to retire in 2013.
Her illness recurred in late 2017, but her determination and her remarkable spirit ensured that she continued to enjoy a good quality of life until recent months.
Her funeral in Haggardstown, at which Fr. Pádraig Keenan officiated, was joined online by relatives and friends in the USA, England, France and Holland as well as Ireland.
Bernie’s choice of music was beautifully sung by Fiona Lennon, Pippa Brady and Briege Kelly, accompanied by Anne Quinn.
Bernie is survived by Daniel, Dónal and Matthew as well as her siblings Paddy (London), Charlie and Briege (Dublin), Joe (Bray) and Dermot (Dundalk), her aunts Rita McCann (Brid a Crinn) and Teresa Clifford (Monaghan) as well as her sisters-inlaw, brother-in-law, nieces, nephews and her many cousins.