RIP: North Longford mourns death of lady who was greatly loved and admired in the locality

It is with much sadness and regret that we record the death of Mrs Marie Keogh of Rathbracken, Granard and formerly Ballinulty, Dring, Co Longford which occurred peacefully, in the care of the Palliative Nursing Staff at the Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar, surrounded by her family, on Saturday, December 20, 2025.

The late Marie was beloved wife of JP and dear mother of Fergal, Mark and Aoife and she was predeceased by her parents Ned and May Reilly of Ballinulty and her sister in law Patricia Reilly. 

A past pupil of Purth school, Marie attended Cnoc Mhuire secondary school where she completed her Leaving Cert after which she worked in the Civil Service in Dublin before returning home when she and JP got married and they set out to rear their family of three children in their home in Rathbracken. 

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Marie, who was greatly loved and admired in the locality for her quiet and gentle nature and for her helpfulness, worked for a number of years in the Credit Union in Granard and it was here she became so well known as she was so kind and courteous to everyone and really put everyone at ease no matter what the business was.

Following her retirement, Marie was a great support to her ageing mother and helped the Reilly family care for her until her death in 2021.

Marie was a lady of great faith and this was a great comfort to her and the family in her illness. It was always a joy to meet Marie as she loved to have a chat and to talk about her grandchildren who she was so proud of.

Marie's remains reposed in Bethany House in Granard on Monday evening, December 22 and large crowds came to pay their respects to a much loved wife, mother, grandmother and sister who will be sorely missed and St Mary's church in Granard was packed for her Requiem Mass on Tuesday celebrated by Fr Simon Cadam PP, assisted by Fr Séamus McKeon and Fr Peter Beglan after which she was laid to rest in Granardkille New Cemetery.

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As Marie went on her final journey to the cemetery the hearse was flanked by a Guard of honour from the Ballymore club for who her son Mark played and her family are very loyal supporters.

We offer sincere sympathy to her husband JP, her daughter Aoife, sons Fergal and Mark, daughters in law Helena and Leah, grandchildren Senan, Éadaoin, Sadie, Michael and Hallie, brothers Jim, Pat, Liam and Eamon, her sister Brenda (Haywood), brothers Jim, Pat, Liam and Eamon, sisters in law, brother in law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends. May she rest in peace.