Dublin and Westport
The death took place peacefully on Tuesday April 15, 2014 of Mrs Mary McGrath (nee Reilly) at the Beneavin Nursing Home in Glasnevin, Dublin 11 and formerly of the Fairgreen, Westport, Co Mayo.
Mary Reilly as she was affectionately known to all her neighbours, relatives and friends in Westport was daughter of Julia Reilly (nee McGing) and Stephen Reilly, the Fairgreen Westport. She was in her early 80s.
Mary received her education at the Mercy Convent Primary School just around the corner from her home. When she finished Primary School she took up employment in the Shirt Factory. Work in the 1940s and the mid-1950s was very hard to come by in Westport and her three sisters and brother had to emigrate to the UK to seek out a living for themselves. Mary was from time to time prone to bouts of bad health and work in the factory didn’t help her with the result that she had to give up work there. Mary then took care of her parents until they passed away in the mid-1950s
Mary was a very outgoing and caring person and she loved Westport and everything about it. The closeknit community of the Fairgreen, Mill St and Altamont St were Mary’s kingdom and she loved and was loved by her outstanding neighbours, relatives and friends from the area. One always knew when Mary was in residence on the Fairgreen. The front door of her home was always open. The kettle was boiling on top of the stove and there was always a packet of cigarettes on top of the mantlepiece and Mary welcomed neighbours and friends to drop in for a visit. Children from the neighbourhood were especially welcome. The played shop and played house in the front room and Mary’s dog “Captain” was always on hand to join the fun as well.
Mary met her future husband Des McGrath when he came to Westport as a construction worker on the new textile factory. Des was a native of Dublin and a very good-looking guy. Before too long he had caught Mary’s eye and soon they were going out together. Des had a very kind and gentle disposition and those who knew him loved to be in his company and over the years Des made his own circle of very loyal friends in the town. Mary and Des married in England almost 49 years ago. Mary then moved to Dublin with Des and they lived all of their married life in the East Wall area of Dublin where work in construction projects was more accessible. Des and Mary were devoted to each other throughout their married lives.
Over the years Mary and Des were frequent visitors to Westport which Mary always called “home” These visits were eagerly looked forward to by her neighbours and many friends alike.
Mary was a very kind and caring person and while in Dublin if she became aware of someone from Westport who was ill and in hospital in Dublin then she made it a point to go and visit them. Not just once but for the duration of their stay in hospital. Mary always lifted the spirits of those she visited.
Another strong point in Mary’s character was her commitment to her faith. She attended daily Mass in her local church in East Wall where she was also a Minister of the Eucharist and she was a regular participant at 10:00am Mass in St Mary’s in Westport when she was “at home”
In the afternoons and evenings Mary could be observed doing the Stations of the Cross or praying her rosary in the church. Mary’s faith was the foundation of her life.
Five years ago Mary suffered a severe stroke from which she never fully recovered. Her illness deprived her of her desire to live independently and she moved into the Beneavin Nursing Home.
Mary accepted her disability and her limitations very well and she soon immersed herself in the activities of the nursing home where she won the respect and admiration of management and staff for her positive outlook on life. Sadly her husband Des had to move into the same nursing home when he too became ill some year later. Over the years Mary and Des’s friends from Westport made frequent visit up to see them and Mary loved to hear the latest new from “home”.
Sadly Des passed away on March 30, 2014. Mary died two weeks later on April 15, 2014.
Des’s funeral took place in the Church of St Joseph, East Wall Dublin, followed by cremation at Mount Jerome crematorium in Dublin.
A funeral service for Mary was held at St Joseph’s Church East Wall on Holy Thursday followed by removal to Westport. Removal took place on Easter Sunday April 20, to St Mary’s Church Westport where her remains were received by Fr. Charlie McDonnell ADM.
Her Funeral Mass took place on Easter Monday, April 21. The Chief celebrant was Fr. Charlie McDonnell ADM.
Mary’s funeral took place to Aughagower Cemetery where her body was interred along with Des’s ashes in the Reilly family plot.
Mary was predeceased by her brother Micky, Sister Philomena Pack, Brother-in Law Ron Pack and Mary’s Brother Steve Óg.
Chief Mourners were sisters Bridget Reilly (Assumpta) and Theresa Johnston, the UK, who was unable to attend the funeral. Breta Johnston (Mary’s Niece) Mack Lennon (Des’s Nephew) The Reilly Family, Cloghaun, Westport (Cousins) and the McGing Family formerly of Bridge St, Westport (Cousins)
May Des and Mary have peaceful rest.
