‘A dedicated life to vulnerable and sick’ - Elizabeth 'Lil' Croal, Ballyshannon  

The death and funeral of Elizabeth Croal, known as Lil, (née Flynn) and late of Abbeylands, Ballyshannon, has evoked many thoughts of deep sympathy and sadness throughout south Donegal as it marks the passing of another great link to the Erne Town and its history.  

At her Funeral Mass on Wednesday (August 30), at St Patrick’s Church, Ballyshannon, Fr Paddy Dunne P.P. was assisted by Fr Dermot Burke P.E. and Fr Vincent Finnegan OFM.

The Parish Priest said that he had the “lovely privilege of being with Lil, before she passed away”.

Even in illness, her warmth drew you right in towards her, and she was able to focus on the people around her, making you feel like the most important person in the room, he added.

And speaking to her friends over recent days, “the smile on their face said it all”.

He said that she was like a flower spreading a fragrance in blossom, that was always shining brightly.

A native of Leitrim, Lil was born in Tarmon in 1932 and came from a family of seven children to parents Martin Flynn and Elizabeth Martin and special thoughts were extended at the Funeral Mass to her surviving sister in Victoria, Canada. 

Lil was well known in Ballyshannon as a paramedic with the ambulance service, having earlier trained as a nurse at Royal Hospital in Croydon, England. 

She travelled quite a bit to London and New York and more locally to Manorhamilton, Donegal Town and Ballyshannon.

“I don’t think that she ever stopped travelling as she is well known around here for her wee red car, scouting about the place,” he said and this included regular visits to the local chapel.

Of course, she married Patsy, he explained, of whom he had heard much about since coming to the parish and how deeply embedded and involved Patsy was, with so many aspects of local community life.

Patsy was described as a “colourful, joyful and wonderful character”, who was known for his different skills and talents and acting, playing a huge part with Lil, in the local community “in so many ways”.

From what he could gather they had a date in the Abbey Cinema “and that is where they started off together” with Lil working in the Sheil Hospital.

And with all her travelling, she made Patsy chase her, with a journey that was ten years in the making, before finally it happened for them both.

The joy of three great children was testament to that love, growing up, as they did,  in a house full of “joy, divilment and laughter”.

Lil and Patsy got married in 1965, first taking up residence in Bishop Street, later moving to Abbeylands in the early seventies.

He added: “That was a very happy place out there with the stories and great neighbours of which the family have been so appreciative.” 

He noted as well the special team of carers that were always on hand to look after Lil and whose dedication and dignity was truly appreciated by the family.

He said that Lil was a character in her own way, but while quieter than Patsy, was strong in herself, independent and dignified in all her dealing, as well as being humorous and discreet, making sure that the job got done, without any fuss.

She had dedicated her life to the vulnerable and sick, giving 100%, especially later when she joined the ambulance service.  

As well as being a “loving and supportive mother” another gift that was bestowed upon her was the gift of laughter. She loved ‘the craic’ and that story continued at the wake house as recollections of times past and growing up were remembered with much fun.

The speciality of the Christmas cake was another of her yearly offerings to family and friends as was her abilities as a seamstress and knitter. 

“An ambulance nurse and then she would come back from being out on call and next thing it was sleeves up, into cooking the dinner and next thigh you could see her outside chopping timber blocks or it could be hanging wallpaper. She had no fear, she just got in with it. She was a doer and a goer, wanting the best for each of you as a family,” Fr Dunne told her children. 

“Unconditional Love” was Lil’s trademark bequeath, he concluded.    

Peacefully surrounded at her passing, by her loving children, Simon, Paul and Joanne,  

Lil is predeceased by her beloved husband Patrick (Patsy) and was a cherished grandmother to Catherine and Lachlan. 

Her passing is deeply regretted by her son-in-law Rick, her sister Catherine, sisters-in-law, Peg and Mary and all her extended relatives and friends, to whom deepest sympathy is extended. 

Following Mass of the Resurrection at St Patrick’s Church, interment took place in St Joseph's Cemetery, The Rock, Ballyshannon.