Warm memories shared by all following Mayo woman's passing

ANNE Gill, Ivy House, Scardaune, Crossboyne, Mayo, who died recently at her home surrounded by her loving family, was a kind, gracious and most gentle soul who commanded great regard and respect throughout the Scardaune and Crossboyne community.

She was formerly Campbell from Croagh Patrick House, Murrisk, Westport.

Anne was born and raised at the foot of the Reek in one of the best known pubs in Mayo.

Campbell’s Pub at the entrance to the climb of Mayo and Ireland’s most famous pilgrimage mountain, has been a favourite hostelry for generations of people who embark on the climb of Croagh Patrick, fondly known in Mayo circles as the Reek.

It has been the place where weary climbers, after their descent of the mountain, have shared stories of their venture and enjoyed the warm hospitality of the Campbell down through the decades.

Anne, along with her brothers Owen, Patrick, Thomas and Michael and her sister Mary (Fitzpatrick), now all sadly deceased, were part of the local lore and culture of that beautiful part of the Mayo coastline.

Many are the stories and yarns told about the Campbell family, their love and respect for the tradition of the mountain and the sea, and their innate sense of decency, that rang out loud and clear down the generations.

People were always assured of the homeliest of welcomes in Campbell’s Tavern where the family were the finest ambassadors for their beloved Mayo.

Anne married Andy Gill from Scardaune and they raised a lovely family of four, two sons and two daughters, all of whom inherited the genial goodness, kindness, honesty and dignity of their parents.

Time spent visiting their welcoming home in Scardaune was always special and Anne and Andy were the best of hosts. The hospitality was top class and everyone felt at ease and at home in the Gill household. It could be no other way.

Anne, who had been in declining health in recent years, was a cherished member of the local community. She was deeply involved in the parish ministry in Crossboyne and her strong faith was a core value in her long life.

Anne had a gentle presence that endeared her to so many people and was a wonderful neighbour and friend to so many people.

She retained an abiding fondness for Murrisk and its people and enjoyed her many trips back home to the foot of the Reek. She loved her weekly copy of The Mayo News and was an ardent reader who loved to keep in touch with events around the county.

Among the many tributes to Anne was one from Mary Coleman of Carradoyne House, Crossboyne, who reflected: “Anne was such a stylish and most beautiful person. Her love of gardening was plain to be seen, the many flowers and shrubs that were carefully nurtured by Anne blossoming in the lovely gardens at Ivy House.

"Anne Gill was a loving, intelligent, most caring, helpful person as you were ever likely to meet. She was a Eucharistic minister in her parish for many years.”

Reposing was in St Colman’s Funeral Home, Claremorris, and interment took place in Crossboyne cemetery following Requiem Mass in Crossboyne Church celebrated by Fr Sean Flynn, assisted by Fr Tommy Commins, a first cousin of her husband, Andy.

Anne will be sadly missed by her husband Andy and their family James (Scardaune), Dello (Dunmore), Yvonne (Naas) and Andrew (Barnaderg), daughters-in-law Mary and Emma, son-in-law Kevin, partner Michael, sister-in-law Maudette Heaney (Ballyglass), grandchildren Aoife, Nathan, Aaron, Ryan, Colin, James, Caoimhe, Saoirse, Aoibhínn, Iarlaith, Mia and Noah, nieces and nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.