The unexpected death of Bríd O’Mahony (nee Monaghan) from Ashgrove, Mountmellick, on Monday, September, 25, following a brief illness, just months after the passing of her beloved husband, Gerard, has left the community shocked and deeply saddened.
Bríd, nee Monaghan, was a native of Tysaxon, Monivea, Galway.
She moved to Mountmellick in 1969 as a business studies teacher in St. Mary’s College, now Mountmellick Community School, where she spent most of her teaching career.
Teaching staff from the school where her daughter, Finola, teaches history, provided a guard of honour at the funeral.
She also did some teaching at Portarlington CBS and Portlaoise Vocational School as it was known then.
Yarn Bombing Mountmellick was one of many groups to pay tribute to Bríd.
She was, the members said, one of those people who used their talent to be a part of a connective energy.
Bríd’s death is a loss to the group and the community at large, the Yarn Bombing group said.
Bríd, the group said, had ‘blessed hands’ and couldn’t put her projects down.
Whether as part of the Yarn Bombing Mountmellick group or making pieces for her children and grandchildren, she harnessed her creative ability to craft anything from the practical to the magical, members recalled.
Her crochet and knitting talents were put to good use any time neighbours or friends welcomed new babies.
Music and GAA were among her other key interests. She was a member of Mountmellick Comhaltas and through bringing her grandchildren to classes, started playing the accordion and guitar.
She was also known for her love of Irish dancing and Irish culture.
With all the family very involved in Mountmellick GAA and the soccer club, Bríd was always there to lend support at matches and help out.
Her generosity with her time made her a hugely popular member of the community.
Bríd was predeceased by her sisters Margaret, Kitty and Celia and her brother Paddy.
She is mourned by her children Sinéad, Geraldine, Dónal, Finola, Ciarán and Donnchadh, her brother Peadar, sister Mary, grandchildren James, Lucy, Emma, Tadhg, Mathúin, Dáithí , Culann, Bláthnaid, Oisín, Réiltín, Senan, Thady, Iarla, Sadhabh, Aoileann, Cora and Éanna, extended family and a wide circle of friends.
Brid was laid to rest on Wednesday in St Joseph’s Cemetery, Mountmellick.
May she Rest in Peace.
