SLIGO singer Tommy Fleming was bereaved by the deaths of both his parents within two days of each other last week. They had celebrated their golden wedding jubilee just four weeks ago.
Annie (nee Howley) died on Thursday while Paddy died less than 48 hours later. He had been in declining health for a few months. Annie was out and about up to less than three weeks ago and played her game of 25 at the regular card game in Kilmactigue a few days before she took ill and was admitted to hospital in Castlebar.
“They were nice, quiet, gentle and unassuming people,” said a neighbour yesterday (Monday). “Annie loved her weekly card game in Kilmactigue and meeting her friends. Paddy was a pleasant and ordinary country man who was well liked in these parts. It was very sad to see the two hearses in Kilmactigue at the same time.”
Both were interred in Kilmactigue cemetery near Aclare and close to the Sligo-Mayo border on Monday after Requiem Mass celebrated by Fr John Glynn. Condolences to the Fleming family circle at this sad time for all of them.
Paddy and Annie are survived by their sons JJ, Patrick and Tommy, daughters Marie, Cathy and Belinda, in-laws, grandchildren, sisters, brothers, relatives, neighbours and friends.