“A woman of great dignity” - Late Benetta McCready, Ballyshannon 

The recent death of Benetta McCready (née Doherty), Cluain Barron, Ballyshannon was greeted with a huge outpouring of sympathy and sadness by a community who held a special place in their hearts for the deceased.

In his homily, recently appointed Kilbarron Parish Priest, Fr Paddy Dunne recalled being met at the door of the wake house by her son Niall and daughter Catherine. 

He described Benetta as “a woman of great dignity”, reflecting on her life, her love of family and her unyielding belief in helping those, who may not have been as fortunate in life, as others.

He recalled that the first funerals in any new parish “are etched in the hearts, something that is always there” for any priest and it was a relief when he met Niall, as he had met him before “a younger fella in his football days working with Cassidy’s”, a reference to Niall’s long service to the GAA county ranks, including representing Ulster in the Railway Cup.

Fr Dunne said: “It was a very privileged, a very special moment and a very tragic and sad moment, especially when you lose your Mammy. And from what I hear, what a beautiful Mammy, a true Mother’s heart, a gently beautiful soul that so many talk about with great warmth and kindness.

“A Waterford woman born in Cheekpoint, emigrated to Birmingham. And then the beautiful Bridget that is very much in your hearts and minds and that you have shared with me, a beautiful and gifted soul that she was and you also only lost your poor Dad nine months ago.”

He said that he had been told many stories of the deceased, not least her love of shopping, heading off on the bus to Sligo and “routing around the shops”.     

“”If she had a few pounds at all, she came back with something, she worked magic with money. She loved clothes, she loved dressing people up, working in shops and it was lovely the people she worked with and for.

He also recalled how well known and appreciated she was, through her work with St Vincent dePaul, looking after and caring for people. She had a particular affinity with St Anthony and could often be seen in the church, lighting candles, for someone that had passed or may have needed a prayer.       

He said that Beneta’s first love was her family, her children and it was wonderful to hear of the portrait of the deceased that he had heard from neighbours and friends over the previous days since her passing.

Describing the deceased as having a big generous heart who was always giving and loved a conversation, he added: “Your friends know you, with an open door and an open heart. A calm welcoming presence with a listening ear where people can drop in and out for a drop of tea and know that they are welcome, when they have a true friend that is there for them, has journeyed with them and walked with them and I know the family are very appreciative of this.”    

Describing deceased as a “woman of great dignity”, even during her illness, he said that Beneta was also there for his children or grandchildren, whether that was rigs washed and boots drying outside the front door for Niall or a reassuring comment to daughter Caterine or the delights when the grandchildren visited and which would now “live forever in your hearts”.

Beneta is predeceased by her husband Cormac and daughter Bridget and will be forever remembered by her son Niall, daughter-in-law Marie, daughter Catherine and son-in-law John. 

Much loved by her grandchildren Darragh, James, Annie, Johnny and Áine. 

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Benetta will be sadly missed by her sister Nora and a wide circle of family, friends and neighbours to whom deepest sympathy is extended.

Following the Mass of the Resurrection at St. Patrick's Church, Ballyshannon for Mass of the Resurrection on Friday, June 30, 2023, interment followed in the Abbey Assaroe Cemetery.