Arva saddened by death of friendly and caring Mary McAvinue
Late Mary McAvinue (née Reilly), Chapel Road, Arva, Cavan
The area was saddened by the death of Mrs Mary Mc Avinue, Chapel Road, Arva which occurred at Cavan General Hospital on Friday, March 1, following a short illness.
Mary was formerly Mary Reilly, Corfree, Lough Gowna and when she finished school she went to work with a local family and in Granard.
She moved to Dublin in 1957 to pursue a career in nursing and entered the service of St Ita’s Hospital successfully completing her training and examinations four years later.
She had planned to take up private nursing in England however, during a night at a dance on one of her visits home to Lough Gowna upon which there would be much anticipation of her arrival by her parents and siblings, she met her future husband, Barney.
Mary and Barney married on New Year’s Eve in 1964 and in those days, most women left their profession to take up the role of homemaker which Mary did with such love and devotion to her family.
She settled well into Chapel Road, Arva and not only cared for her own family but also looked out for and helped her neighbours, whether with a friendly caring chat or with her medical skills.
Mary was a member of the altar society in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Arva and took great pride in getting to the shops to buy the most beautiful flowers for the alter and every Friday the living room in her house would be taken over while with great care and attention, she created beautiful flower displays which she would carefully place around the alters in the chapel. Her love of flowers also showed in her garden which when in full bloom provided a fabulous display of colour on Chapel Road.
Mary was Secretary of the Irish Country Women’s Association for a number of years and following that she took up the role of Produce promoter. An annual day away was organised by this great group of women and the children also went with their mothers.
Her daughter Irene has a very fond memory of returning from one of those outings with the most beautiful doll that her mother lovingly bought for her.
Another great talent of Mary’s was her baking and cooking. From her soda bread to her Christmas cakes, the taste could never be equated to. This was evident in the demand for her produce at the Country Markets in St Patrick’s Hall every Friday morning. Her soda bread was pre -ordered by many and the rest was never left long on the table.
Although she was a very proud Gowna woman, her grandson Finbar managed to convert her into an avid Arva GAA Supporter. With great pride she watched Finbar and his team play and rise to the top as they claimed the title of All Ireland Champions in Croke Park.
The night Mary passed to her eternal reward, the heavens opened and the skies filled with the most magnificent display of snowfall resembling confetti falling in celebration of a most pure and beautiful soul returning home and to her beloved husband. Pure as the driven snow. Ar dheis de go raibh a anam.
Mary was predeceased by her husband Barney, brothers Luke, Paddy, Paul and is survived by her sons Bernard, Fintan, Martin, Daughter Irene, grandson Finbar, granddaughters Mary Jane, DD, brothers John, Tony, sisters Patsy, Rose, Theresa, Vera to all of whom we extend our sincere sympathy.
Mary reposed at Finnegan’s Funeral Home, Dublin Road, Cavan on Sunday, March 3 and was taken to the Church of the Sacred Heart, Arva for Requiem Mass with burial afterwards in Coronea Cemetery on Monday. Fr Oliver O’ Reilly, CC. Arva officiated.