Bridget Campbell
Carrowkeel, Clogher
The death has taken place of Bridget Campbell, Carrowkeel, Clogher, (nee Bourke) a member of a well-known and cherished family in the locality. She was the eldest daughter of four children born to Pat and Margaret Bourke. She grew up to appreciate the way mother nature nudged the wheels of life from the sowing of the crops in the spring to the harvesting in the autumn.
Bridget, who was affectionately known as ‘Baby’, was born on April 5, 1913. After completing her primary school education in Clogher National School, she moved to Dublin and found work in a hotel which she enjoyed immensely. She enjoyed great popularity among her peers and became renowned for her baking skills.
In 1945, she married Michael Campbell and they both enjoyed 66 years of married life together. In her heart she held a great love for Gaelic football. She enjoyed following the progress of her favourite teams. When she watched those games on the television she never liked people crossing her viewing path as she did not want to miss any of the football action.
A truly dedicated supporter of the Mayo football team, she would oftentimes put on her knitted red and green Mayo hat and scarf and enjoy a glass of Baileys as she followed the football action.
In later years when her mobility was more limited she used her wheelchair to help ferry her on her trips to various places. Her dedicated and caring husband, Michael was always there to assist her in getting to her destination.
She enjoyed her shopping trips to Ballinrobe.
She had a great fondness for music and one of her favourite songs was ‘There is life in the old dog yet”.
She was blessed with caring and motherly skills as she and her husband reared their family in a spirit of great love and affection. As the children grew up and branched out on their own road of life she kept in regular contact with them and looked forward to the occasions when she visited them and they in turn came to visit her. She enjoyed watching each of her grandchildren as they moved their way along from the various stages from childhood to adulthood.
In more recent years her husband Michael took exceptional care of her.
Her funeral took place from Kilcoynes’ Funeral Home, Castlebar to Saint Mary’s Church, Carnacon and after requiem Mass she was laid to rest in Drum Cemetery. During the funeral mass, celebrated by Fr Jack Garvey, the Lessons and the Responsorial Psalm was read by her grandson, Gary Tolan. The Prayers of the Faithful were prayed by Joe Tolan, Joe Campbell and Bernie Reilly. The gifts for the offertory were carried to the altar by her great-grandchildren, Mia and Ella Harnesse.
The Post Communion Reflection was read by her granddaughter, Leanne Reilly.
The Campbell family have expressed their sincerest thanks to everyone who was a caring friend for Bridget on her long journey through life.
She was predeceased by her brother, Sonny Bourke; sisters, Annie Murphy and Rita Lally.
Her Month’s Mind Mass will be celebrated in Saint Mary’s Church, Carnacon on Saturday August 6 at 8 o’clock.
She is deeply mourned by her husband, Michael; son, Joe (Clogher); daughters, Rose Harnesse, Partry; Angella Reilly, Clogher and Rita Tolan. Ballyvary and her many other relatives and friends to whom we extend our sincerest sympathies. May her gentle soul rest in peace.