The late Mary Galvin a lady with a 'big heart'

There was much sadness expressed at the passing of Mary Galvin (nee Cunningham), Marian Place, Tullamore who died on Wednesday February 8.

Mary was originally from Kilbeggan and came to Tullamore to work in Salts/Tullamore Yarns where she met her husband John who also worked there. They met on Mary's first day of work and it was love at first sight for them both, said her son Martin.

The couple married in 1957 and went on to have 11 children, seven boys and four girls.

Mary was described as being impeccable about her religion and had great devotion to Padre Pio and our Lady of Fatima.

She also had a cure for whooping cough and hundreds of people travelled from all over the country to see her and be healed.

Fr Damian who celebrated her funeral mass compared her to St Blaise and said she was like an angel diamond and a very special lady, said Martin.

Mary loved her home and had a keen interest in gardening and in growing flowers. ''Her garden was her joy'', Martin recalled.

She was also loved by the children of the neighbourhood for her kindness and ''big heart,'' he said

Mary died after a short illness bravely borne.

Her funeral attracted people from far and wide and even though she had lived a quiet life over 600 people came to pay their last respects to Mary.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband John and will be sadly missed by her sons Gerry, John, Jimmy, Martin, Terry, Richard and Bernard, daughters Marie, Dolores, Theresa and Sinéad, sons in law, daughters in law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.