Tullamore mourns the passing of a great lady

TULLAMORE is in mourning this week following the passing of Doreen Grimes late of Tinnycross, who died at her home on December 23.

A native of Cokery in Edenderry, Doreen came to live in Tullamore in 1960 following her marriage to Gabriel Grimes. Initially they lived in Connolly Park before moving to Tinnycross.

Doreen was known for her good works and was heavily involved in the Conference of the Assumption of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) in Tullamore where she had the distinction of being elected the first female president of the Tullamore branch. In 2022 she was honoured by Tullamore and District Rotary Club for her work with the charity.

At her funeral mass which took place on Wednesday December 27, in the Church of the Assumption Fr Sean Heaney said Doreen had a good life. She involved herself in many activities in her life. He said she liked to be working, to be using her hands, to be walking around carrying out tasks, rather than reflecting, preaching, or talking.

Fr Heaney said Doreen showed who she was by her actions, She was a busy woman, a busy housewife, a good wife, she loved to keep her garden, she knitted and sewed and went about doing good.

He commented on her work with the Saint Vincent de Paul saying that ''she certainly fulfilled the gospel regarding her treatment of the hungry, the thirsty, the naked and those who were lonely.

''Doreen was very generous and very caring and gave great leadership as President of the conference to all the members. She demonstrated how to show kindness, to show care, to show generosity. Once she said to me, 'Father I would sooner make a mistake and give money to somebody who doesn't really need it than send them away,' recalled Fr Heaney.

''She showed great leadership, great example and great generosity in her attitude as president of the conference. Many a time I rang her up and just explained to her that such and such a person was looking for help. She would ask what's the address, do you have a phone number, and she would say 'that will be looked after' and it always was,'' said Fr Heaney.

He said that as the family gathered to grieve her loss, it was also a time to celebrate her goodness, her kindness and her care for people truly in need.

''She was a good lady and a model homemaker, He said that in their grief and sadness at losing Doreen, it might soften the blow by celebrating the goodness and generosity that she showed to many people.'' said Fr Heaney.

Following her funeral mass, Doreen was buried in Clonminch Cemetery. She is survived by her husband Gabriel, children Regina, Brendan, Yvonne, Elaine, Nigel and David, sons and daughters in law, grandchildren Sam, Max, Jill, Aisling, Joe, Ben, Aaron, Eric, Phoebe, Billy, Oisin and Dara. Doreen will be deeply missed by her brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews along with extended family and friends.