Parks, Clogher, Claremorris
first of all in your own house.
Give love to your children,
to your wife or husband,
to a next-door neighbour...
Let no one come to you without
leaving better or happier.
Be the living expression
of God’s kindness;
kindness in your face,
kindness in your eyes,
kindness in your smile
and kindness in your warm greeting.
In Mother Teresa’s reflection on the role of love on the journey through life, above, she encourages everyone to use the gift of love to fuel goodness and kindness in others. Ann Hallinan, who died peacefully in the loving care of her family in Parks, could be identified as one of the people who listened to Mother Teresa’s exhortations. Ann was indeed blessed with the gifts of kindness and generosity, as she lived each day of her life filled with a desire to help others in her home, in her workplace and in the community.
Daughter of the late John and Agnes Thomas, Clooncundra, Castlebar, Ann grew up in her native community, cherishing and loving the way Mother Nature enriched the natural environment through its beautiful rays of sunshine, the moonlight, the rainbows and the harsher weather elements like the rain and the snow. After completing her national school education in Errew NS, she continued her second-level education in Davitt College, Castlebar.
In 1974, she married Seamus Hallinan from Parks, where the couple reared their children in a spirit of love and great affection.
The loss of such a cherished young mother, grandmother and wife does not fit easily into the natural order of life’s progression. However, during Ann’s all-too-short life, her husband, brothers, children, grandchildren and her ever-widening circle of friends were enriched by her friendship. Even during her time of illness, she had the ability to build bridges of friendship and most of all express her sincerest thanks to those who visited and telephoned her.
In Mayo General Hospital, where she worked with Campbell Catering, she was indeed a very special person whose caring and dedicated personality touched those she worked with and cared for each day.
During her leisure time, Ann enjoyed working in her garden and walking the local lanes. She was blessed with a strong community spirit, and this was evident in her work with Carnacon Ladies club and as a member of the Board of Management of Balla Secondary School.
For Ann, her family were the pivot on which the wheels of life turned. Her contribution to family life was unique. She loved the occasions when her family was around her. She had a special fondness for children, especially her grandchildren.
To those who were ill, she was a source of inspiration and encouragement.
While she will be remembered as a caring and loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister, she will also be fondly remembered by her family and those close to her for the Christian gifts of love, kindness and understanding that she passed on to those she met along life’s journey.
Before Ann was taken on her final earthly journey to Ballintubber Abbey, she reposed at the family home in Parks, where large numbers of mourners came to bid their final farewell to a special friend.
Her requiem Mass in Ballintubber Abbey was celebrated by Fr Frank Fahey; Fr Jack Garvey; Fr Padraig O’Connor, Mountbellew; Fr Dunning, SMA, Claregalway; and Fr Tony Carroll, Mountbellew.
The lessons were read by Patricia McManamon and Br Gerry Thomas, and the Responsorial Psalm was sung by Tom McGovern, David Cunningham and Páraic Melotte.
The Prayers of the Faithful were prayed by Páraic Joyce, Ruaidhrí Hallinan, Diarmuid Hallinan and Siobhan and Lorraine Thomas. During the offertory procession, Patricia McManamon, Paula Brown, Seamie Hallinan, Breege Delaney and Claire and Joan Hallinan carried gifts to the altar. Seamie Hallinan and Breege Delaney gave the Post Communion reflection.
As her funeral left Ballintubber Abbey for Burriscarra Cemetery, her work colleagues in Campbell Catering formed a guard of honour.
She is survived by her husband, Seamus Hallinan; her son, Seamie Hallinan; her daughters, Patricia, Breege, Paula, Claire and Joan; her brothers, Br Gerry Thomas, and Michael Thomas; brothers-in-law, Pat Hallinan, Sean Hallinan; sisters-in-law, Mary Joyce and Phil Thomas; sons-in-law, Francis McManamon, Nicholas Delaney and Stephen Brown; daughter-in-law, Loretta Hallinan; and grandchildren, Fionn and Eoghan McManamon and Luke Brown. Our sincerest sympathies are extended to all those bereaved.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam.
