Mayo Dublin Association stalwart mourned

SADLY MISSED?Mary Fraine.

Mayo Association in Dublin stalwart Mary Fraine dies


Michael Commins

MARY Fraine, whose death took place in Dublin last weekend, was the longest serving member of the Mayo Association in Dublin. A native of Culmore, Kilkelly, Mary was employed in the Civil Service in the capital and had a life-long passion for her Mayo.
Mary was at the heart and soul of the Mayo Association in the city for six decades, serving as secretary for more than 30 years, and was involved in the committee right up to her death. She drove down to Mayo last September to meet up with friends and neighbours.
Her contribution to the Mayo Association was immense and she did sterling work for so many members and friends. Coming from a generation where the ‘Meitheal’ spirit trumped individualism, Mary loved to help out as many as she could and was the embodiment of the ethos of the Association and its guiding charter.
In her role as an ambassador for the county and the Association in Dublin, she truly excelled, representing the Dublin based group at numerous annual celebrations in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Coventry, the USA, and here at home over the decades.
For many years she took personal charge of the press tables at the annual Mayo Association dinner dance, gracious and welcoming and the perfect host. It was clear that the compass of her heart was always titled west.
She spent many years working as a secretary in Leinster House where she knew all the deputies. Her last term before retirement saw her serve as private secretary to Minister Michael Woods, TD.
Mary, who resided at Leinster Road, Rathmines, died peacefully at St Vincent’s Private Hospital, Dublin, following a relatively short illness.
Paddy Moran, the Bonniconlon native and former chairman, said no one had given such outstanding service to the Mayo Association in Dublin. “Mary had already served many years by the time our group joined the Association. We heard stories about how Mary was among the handful who kept it going when it was at a low ebb in the early 1960s. There were others like Clare Hearns (Ballina) and Kathleen Hanley (Killasser). Former Mayo All-Ireland winner Eamonn Mongey also did fine work as chairman in those times.”
Removal took place from  Donnellan’s Funeral Home in Ballyhaunis to St Celsus Church, Kilkelly, on Sunday evening with interment in Culmore Cemetery following concelebrated Requiem Mass on Monday.
Fr Gerry French, a native of Mossbrook, Claremorris, and a member of the Mayo Association in Dublin, was the chief celebrant at the Mass, assisted by Fr John Maloney, Kilkelly, and Fr Padraic Costello, PP, Foxford, a native of the parish and former neighbour of the Fraine family.
Mary, who was predeceased by her sister Bridie, is survived by her sister Anne Flanagan (Clare Court, Ballyhaunis), nephew Michael, niece Patricia, relatives, her friends in the Mayo Association, Dublin, and many other friends further afield.