'She was a great friend to everyone' – Tributes paid as Tourmakeady’s Margaret ‘Peggy’ Conway laid to rest

LOVING tributes have been paid at the funeral of Tourmakeady woman Margaret Conway, who has been remembered as ‘a great friend to everyone’.

Tourmakeady was plunged into mourning when Margaret, better known as 'Peggy', died tragically in a road accident on Monday evening.

This afternoon (Friday), people from the Gaeltacht village and beyond gathered at St Mary’s Church to bid a fond farewell to Peggy, who was loved and well regarded by her family and neighbours.

“You have had no chance, in the normal sense, to say a proper goodbye,” said Tourmakeady Parish Priest Fr Jarlath Heraty at her Funeral Mass, “but we look back today on Peggy’s life. We think of all the great qualities she had.”

Born on August 4, 1944, the youngest of eight children, Peggy attended Srah primary school until the age of 13.

She went on to make Aran sweaters and other knitwear at the Gaeltarra factory in Tourmakeady, where she developed her love of knitting.

The grandmother-of-sixteen was a long-time member of the local knitting club in Tourmakeady and passed this love down to each of her children.

She met her husband Padraig at a dance in Tourmakeady, before the couple moved to England for three years.

They then returned to Drimcoggy in Tourmakeady, where she devoted her life to the care of her five children and the care of her late mother Mary, who lived with her until her passing in 1988.

“She was a great friend to everyone, a great granny to all her grandchildren. They adored her,” added Fr Heraty, who said that Peggy had ‘so many beautiful gifts in life’ which she shared with others.

This included her love of knitting, which were symbolised by a crochet needles and samples of her work which were brought to altar as symbols of her life.

Her love of cooking and baking was another tradition which she passed down to each of her children.

“We remember all the delicious treats, brown bread and scones that awaited all her friends and family when they came to visit,” her grandson Ryan recalled.

A statue of St Martin, a blessed candle and Pioneer pin were presented to symbolise her devotion to her faith and deeply held convictions.

A copy of The Mayo News was also brought forward ‘as a symbol of her involvement and devotion to her friends and community’.

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The funeral mass of the late Margaret 'Peggy' Conway in St Mary's Church, Tourmakeady

Like her father before her, Peggy was a great judge of cattle and horses.

Her work in the community, neighbourliness and love of the game of 25 were also fondly remembered at her Funeral Mass.

Her son Michael paid sincere thanks to their ‘fantastic’ neighbours for their support during Peggy’s life and since her passing.

He also thanked Cummins Funeral Directors, the staff and Mayo University Hospital, St John’s Unit and Friar’s Lodge for caring for her in recent times.

She has been laid to rest in Tourmakeady Graveyard.

Peggy was predeceased by her parents Mary and Michael, sisters Nancy, Bridie, Kathleen, Sr Agatha (Mary) and brother Paddy.

She will be dearly missed by her husband Pádraig Conway, her children Maureen, Michael, Barbara, Pat and Caroline, daughters-in-law Lorraine and Louise, sons-in-law Damien and Mark, partner Aiden.

She was adored by her grandchildren Olivia, Emma, Kira, Ryan, Heather, Kate, Caelan, Caoimhe, Conor, Siofra, Seán, Shauna, Clodagh, Dylan, Elaina, Jacob and great-grandchildren Joey, Che and Roxy.

She is survived her sister Eileen (New York), brother Michael (Dublin), sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law. Peggy will be sincerely missed and fondly remembered by her nieces, nephews, relatives, wonderful neighbours and friends.

Suaimhneas agus síochán síoraí di i measc na nAingeal.