There was sadness in the Courtwood and Belgrove communities this week at the death of Clare Dunne after a short illness.
Clare was originally a Fennell from Grattan Street in Portlaoise before moving to Belgrove, Ballybrittas, where she lived with her husband Paddy and her three children Enda, Helen and Pauric.
For many years she worked in the Midland Health Board/HSE in a dental assistant’s role which included visiting many local primary schools. Her kindness to the students was a hallmark of those regular visits.
“While Clare’s years were cut short by illness, an illness she bore with great dignity, she never seemed to complain,” said Fr Joseph O’Neill in her funeral mass.
“She was always determined to recover. Her unexpected death so quickly leaves a vacuum.”
Fr O’Neill mentioned Clare’s work as a dental assistant, her enjoyment of the senior citizens group in Killenard, set dancing and her interest “in all things GAA – Clonad, The Heath and Courtwood”.
Her daughter Helen also delivered a touching tribute at the end of the mass on behalf of the family.
Clare is predeceased by her husband Paddy, who passed away in 2004, and deeply regretted by her children Enda, Helen and Pauric, son-in-law Will, daughters-in-law Mairead and Noelle, grandchildren Paddy, Rose, Ellie, Louise, Amy and Billy, brothers John and Peter, sister Catherine, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and friends.
Due to the Covid 19 restrictions, a private family funeral took place this Wednesday, January 6 in the Sacred Heart Church in Rath followed by burial afterwards in Moyanna Cemetery.
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