Funeral of Mayo N17 road traffic victim to take place on Sunday

The Funeral of the latest victim of a road traffic collision on the N17 near Claremorris will take place this Sunday in Crossboyne Church.

Andrea Gornowicz became the sixth person to lose their lives on a three mile stretch of the N17 near Claremorris since the beginning of this year. The 58-year-old woman who was born in Germany and came to Mayo around 40 years ago was a popular member of the staff at the Tesco outlet in Claremorris.

She died following a three-car collision on the N17 beside Castlemacgarrett at the turn-off for Crossboyne. It is understood she was returning home from a trip to Claremorris at the time of the accident. Emergency services were quick on the scene but she was pronounced deceased some time later.

Ms Gornowicz's funeral will take place on Sunday, May 26 in Crossboyne Church at 2.30pm but before this she will repose in Gilligan’s Funeral Home, Market Square, Claremorris on Sunday from 12.30pm with removal at 2 pm.

Staff at Tesco were shocked and stunned when news filtered through about their colleague. “Andrea was one of the real characters and was direct and straight to the point. She was very humourous and we all had a great time for her. Whether it was packing the shelves or undertaking other work, Andrea did it her way.

“She loved animals and was familiar to many out walking the dog on the Castlemacgarrett to Crossboyne road. She always felt much at home out around Castlemacgarrett. Andrea was unique and is a huge loss to us. We were absolutely gutted with the sad news,” a member of the Tesco staff told The Mayo News.

Local councillor, Richard Finn, said Andrea was a prominent member of the Claremorris community. “She was a wonderful friend of mine and supporter down through the years. She was a valued member of the staff at Tesco for the last seventeen years. I extend condolences to all the staff at Tesco, Claremorris, and to her wonderful friend and neighbour, Ann Lynskey, and the people of the Castlemacgarrett and Crossboyne area at this time.”

Andrea is regretted by her brother Andreas Gornowitz and sister Monika Held, friends Carmel, Uwe and André Jastrow, and she will be sadly missed by her neighbours, colleagues in Tesco Claremorris and many friends.

The Funeral Mass will be live streamed on the 'Taugheen Community' Facebook page.