RIP: Longford saddened by death of 'one of life's great characters' and community activist

There was widespread sadness and regret felt on Friday, October 10 last when the news became known that Mary Brady of Ballinlough, Bunlahy had passed to her eternal reward, peacefully and surrounded by her heartbroken family in Mullingar Regional Hospital, following an illness.

Beloved wife and best friend of Francie and dear mother of Sean and Pauric, Mary was predeceased by her son Ronan in 2003 and by her parents Patrick and Margaret Donohoe of Aughakine, Aughnacliffe. 

Mary was one of life's great characters who it was always a joy to meet as she had a great, witty sense of humour and one always left from Mary with a smile on your face. Well perhaps not always, because if Mary felt you had to be "put in your place" well no better person than her to do it but when you'd think of the way she did all you could do is smile and say 'Well Done Mary'.

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Mary was a great community person who was involved in all that's good firstly in her native Parish of Colmcille and in Granard parish and herself and her family are loyal supporters of the Ballymore club. Mary was a founder member of the Bunlahy Area Action Group and much of the great work that has been done in and around the village is a tribute to her efforts and dedication and herself and her friend Mary Farrell hosted the annual Coffee Day for Hospice Homecare in Creegan's of Bunlahy for a long time.

Community was very important to Mary and the Brady family but of course family came first and Mary had a great pride in her family and the loss of her son Ronan was a heavy cross to carry but with her great faith and the support of the extended family and friends Mary continued on and was so delighted to welcome Pauric and Denise's two children Paudie and Ellie and no doubt she celebrated on Saturday night last in her heavenly home when Sean and Sinead were blessed with a beautiful baby girl who will be named Savannah Mary.

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Mary reposed in the family home on Saturday and Sunday, October 11 & 12, and huge crowds passed through to sympathise with the family and on Monday afternoon St Mary's Church in Granard was packed for her funeral Mass after which she was laid to rest beside her beloved Ronan in Colmcille cemetery, Aughnacliffe.

Sympathy is extended to her husband Francie, sons Pauric and Sean, daughters-in-law Denise and Sinead, her adored grandchildren Paudí and Ellie, and her brothers Paddy (Aughakine), John (Ballinamuck) and Jim (Dublin), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, uncle Packie Jobe (Crott) and aunt Sadie (USA), nephews, nieces, cousins, neighbours and all her wonderful friends. May she rest in peace.

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