Clonbur pays fond farewell to Maura Whelan

Clonbur bids fond farewell to Maura Whelan

Michael Commins

THE people of Clonbur and neighbouring areas of North Galway and South Mayo turned out in large numbers to pay their respects to Maura Whelan who died last week. Maura ran the Post Office in Clonbur for many years and was a central player in the community life of the region.
Maura (68) was formerly Lydon from Ballynalty, Glencorrib. She and her husband SeΡn raised a family of eight, six sons and two daughters. They had more than their share of crosses to carry with the tragic deaths of their sons Damian and Enda.
Maura’s gentle and gracious presence made everyone feel at ease and she was blessed with a serene nature that enabled her to reach out and comfort so many others in their times of sadness and grief. “Maura was a great woman,” said a neighbour. “She was good to us all and was always looking out for everyone.
“Over the years she and her family made a great contribution to the Clonbur area. We were all sad when we heard her health was in decline. Maura helped so many people through difficult times. She was a blessing in our community and we will all miss her.”
Outside of her work in the Post Office, Maura had a special fondness for music, especially country and trad music, and was a regular listener to her favourite shows on Mid West Radio for many years.
She coped with her illness with characteristic courage and remained an inspiration to all until the end.
Fr Val Kyne, a neighbour, was the chief celebrant at the concelebrated Mass. Interment took place in Rosshill Cemetery.
She is survived by her husband SeΡn, children Jacinta, SeΡn Óg, Noel, SiobhΡn, Ronan and Iarla, daughters-in-law Joyce, Olive and Finnuala, son-in-law Jamie, grandchildren, brothers and sisters in law, relatives, family, friends and neighbours.