West Mayo mourns death of Castlebar business woman

THE death of Máire Kelly Moore, Aughagowla, Fahy, Westport, and Castle Street (and formerly Marian Row), Castlebar, is deeply mourned across west Mayo.

The proprietor of Kelly's Hair and Beauty Salon, Castle Street, Castlebar, she died peacefully in the loving care of the staff of Mayo Hospice, Castlebar.

Aged 61, the news of her passing has evoked a huge sense of loss and sorrow, such was her wide popularity.

A member of one of the longest-established family hairdressing and barber businesses in the county, she had a special rapport with all her loyal customers, who held her in such high regard for her friendly and outgoing nature.

Everybody was welcomed with a smile and the offer of a cup of coffee or tea.

She won many awards throughout her career, but nothing pleased her more than bringing happiness to people through her hairdressing skills.

Máire developed a deep love of farming after moving to Fahy following her marriage to Patrick Moore.

They had a very happy life together and their two children, Amy and Cian, brought tremendous joy into their lives.

After a busy day on her feet in her salon in Castle Street, she looked forward to the time she spent on the land and became very astute in dealing with the many challenges faced on a busy Mayo dairy farm.

She once described getting up at 4.30 each morning to undertake her farming chores as 'the nicest part of the day'.

Máire found time for charity work and she was the first recipient of a 'Passion for the World Around Us Business Award', presented by Castlebar Chamber of Commerce.

She helped raise funds for an MRI scanner at Mayo University Hospital as well as for the building of Mayo Roscommon Hospice. She was also a volunteer with the Castlebar Social Services' meals-on-wheels service.

Máire was unselfish with her time, particularly when it came to attending to residents in nursing homes and patients in hospitals who wished to have their hair cut, washed and set.

Many warm tributes are being paid to her on social media.

One described Máire as 'a beautiful, bright, bubbly personality who always seemed to have a cheery disposition'.

Another stated: “Such a vibrant, good humoured and positive person who was always a pleasure to meet.”

A further tribute said: “Máire - a force of nature departs.”

Said another: “A heart of gold. A couple of hours with Máire would leave you sailing up Castle Street with a smile on your face. A cuppa, chats, laughs, farming talk and good fun will always be remembered. She has passed on all her beautiful qualities to Amy and Cian.”

Predeceased by her father Sean and father-in-law Paddy, Máire is deeply regretted by her heartbroken husband Patrick, son Cian, daughter Amy, her mother Teresa, brothers Tom and John, mother-in-law Mary Catherine, brothers-in-law John, Keith, Chris, Peter and Neil, sisters-in-law Maureen, Patricia, Noreen, Olivia, Gina and Catriona, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours, work colleagues and friends, to whom deepest sympathy is tendered.

Máire will repose at Coady’s Funeral Home, Linenhall Street, Castlebar on Thursday, August 3 from 5pm with removal at 7pm to her residence (via Castle Street, Castlebar).

Removal from her residence on Friday morning at 9.45am for Requiem Mass at 11am in the Church of the Holy Rosary, Castlebar, followed by burial afterwards in Fahy Cemetery.

Máire’s Funeral Mass will be streamed live at https://www.facebook.com/hawkeyeimageryireland or listened to in Castlebar on the Parish Radio Channel 105.3FM.

May her gentle soul rest in peace.