Mayo town in mourning following passing of former teacher

ANNE Cunnane, Knock Road, Kiltimagh, Mayo who died recently in the kind care of the staff at Mayo Hospice, Castlebar, following a short illness, was formerly O’Shea from Park Road, Kiltimagh.

She was a retired principal of St Aidan’s National School, Kiltimagh.

She was the eldest of a family of eight and was followed by six brothers before the arrival of Deirdre. Her father Jim was a native of Cork and her mother was from Gurtymadden in southeast Galway.

Anne brought a warmth and sense of humour to everything she was associated with down through the years. She was involved with various clubs and groups and volunteered with the GAA Club, Credit Union, the Christmas Markets, the Bridge Club and was a regular reader at weekend Masses in Kiltimagh Church.

The staff and Board of Management of St Aidan’s NS were among those leading the tributes: “Words can’t express how sad and heartbroken we were to hear of the sudden passing of our dear colleague and past principal, Anne. Her commitment, kindness, and vision left a lasting mark on St Aidan’s.

“As Deputy Principal and later as Principal from 2015 to 2020, Anne guided the school with wisdom, warmth, and an unwavering belief in the potential of every child. She will be remembered not only for her professionalism and leadership but also for her compassion and the genuine care she showed to all who knew her. We will miss her greatly.”

SPECIAL PERSON

Helen Higgins, a former teaching colleague, said Anne was a very special person: “She was kind, gentle, caring, generous, personable and gifted.

"As well as being a great, caring teacher, Anne had many other gifts, cookery and baking (She was renowned for her wonderful cakes), Arts and Crafts, Golfing, organisational skills and many others. She shared her gifts generously with family, pupils and friends.”

Her sister, Deirdre, speaking at the funeral Mass in Kiltimagh, told the congregation that Anne was born in June 1958 in Calvary Hospital, Galway, now known as the Bon Secours.

“She spent the first two months of her life in Mam’s home place in Gurtymadden, Co Galway, before moving to Thomas Street, Kiltimagh in August 1958. In the summer of 1961, the family moved to Pollagh where we all had a wonderful childhood, and many great memories were made.

“Anne was the eldest of eight. In 1976, she finished her education in St Louis Secondary School and obtained a place in Carysfort College. It was always her dream to be a primary school teacher.

"During her time in Carysfort, she worked alongside our dad in Macks Bakery during the summer months further developing her love of baking. She made many wonderful friends while in school, college and during her teaching career, many of whom are with us today.”

Her son, Padraig, a member of the teaching staff at Murrisk NS, addressing the capacity congregation, spoke of the close bonds within the family where laughter and humour have always been to the fore.

He also referred to her central role in the O’Shea family. “Mam was a devout sister to six brothers and her baby sister. You would struggle to find a closer family around Ireland. Mam would regularly say that not only was she blessed with a wonderful family, but she was also blessed with ‘six wonderful sisters-in- law and her brother-in-law Declan.”

Padraig said Anne graduated from Carysfort College, Dublin, and secured her first teaching post in November 1979 in Scoil na Mainistreach in Celbridge. “Four years later, she moved home to Kiltimagh where she first taught in the Girl’s School before moving to St Aidan’s NS in 1988.

“Mam and dad (Anthony Cunnane) met 45 years ago at a dance here in Kiltimagh and were married in Kiltimagh Church in 1983 and bought a home at Knock Road in 1985 where they raised their family of three, Caitiona, Louise and Padraig.-

“She served as a mainstream teacher, special education teacher, member of the BOM, Deputy Principal and finally Principal from Sept 2015 to December 2019.

SHARED PASSION

“Mam and Dad’s shared passions for both golf and travel and loved their times at Ballyhaunis Golf Club and their travels to various destinations.

“She lived life to the absolute fullest. She leaves behind a legacy of love, respect, generosity and kindness that we will endeavor to carry on for years and years to come.”

Reposing at the Marian Funeral Home, Knock, and interment took place Kilkinure Cemetery following the funeral Mass in the Church of the Holy Family, Kiltimagh, and which Fr Michael Quinn, PP, was the chief celebrant.

Anne, who was predeceased by her parents Jim and Carmel O’Shea, her mother and father-in-law, Martin and Nora Cunnane, brother-in-law Sean and sister-in-law Mary Devine, will be greatly missed by her husband Anthony (Tony) and their family, Catriona, Louise and Padraig, grandchildren, Daire, Molly Mai and Emily, sons-in-law, Hugh and James, daughter-in-law Allison, sister Deirdre, brothers Kieran, Seamus, Barry, Paul, Brendan and Sean, brothers-in-law Declan Sheridan, Aiden and Michael Cunnane, and Martin Devine, sisters-in-law Evelyn, Elaine, Barbara, Breda, Eileen and Carmel, nieces and nephews and her cherished goddaughters, Olivia and Rebecca, her aunt Margaret (Scotland), extended family and her wide circle of friends.