Cregganacopple, Louisburgh
Removal took place to St Patrick’s Church, Louisburgh, where she was received by Fr Michael Darcy, CC. Chief Celebrant of the Funeral Mass was Fr Michael Darcy, assisted by Rev Fr Leo Morahan and Fr Pádraig Ó Máille. Burial took place beside her brothers, Patrick and Martin, in Kilgeever Cemetery.
She is survived by her sisters, Norah O’Brien (Cork) and Mary Ruane (USA); nieces, Mary T O’Brien and Patricia O’Brien (USA); other relatives and friends.
Donations in her memory may be made to St Brendan’s Nursing Unit, Mulranny, c/o Kilcoyne’s Funeral Directors, Castlebar.
The following tribute to Bridget was composed by her nieces, Mary and Patricia, and read at her Funeral Mass by Mairéad Cannon.
“Bridie Kilcoyne was an amazing woman. She was born in Cregganacopple in July, 1920, and struggled, with the rest of her family, in very lean times. She worked in the fields along with her parents, Bridget and Thomas, and siblings, John, Mary, Norah, Patrick and Martin. She then worked in houses and in kitchens far from home.
She was known for her singing and would sing while minding sheep, doing housework, working in the kitchen in Boston and, of course, at home, whether it was in Cregganacopple, Boston, Westport, or her final home, St Brendan’s Nursing Unit in Mulranny. She loved to dance, and in her younger years, she would love to go to the house dances in the area.
She moved to Boston in 1948 to join her Aunt Mamie. She worked in the kitchen of the Katherine Gibb School for nearly 40 years – a loyal and hard worker for her entire adult life.
She was generous to a fault, sharing her meagre, hard-earned wages with family and friends.
Having come from a small place, but needing to travel far for work and survival, she mixed with people of many cultures. She was not afraid to speak her mind and make her feelings known.
As her sight was taken from her, and the boundaries of her world were gradually limited, her voice remained her strongest asset – along with her wit.
She met the challenges of gradually increasing disabilities with a strength, courage and sense of humour that was admired by many. It is those same people who will now miss her greatly, all the family and friends that knew and loved her. We will remember a strong woman who lived her life to the fullest and then came back home, where she belonged.”
May she rest in peace.
