The late Mary Conlon remembered as someone who 'couldn’t do enough for you'

The death of Mary Conlon, Ballyshannon last week was mourned in Ballyshannon and Glenfin with great sadness for a lady who gave so much in life.

Born Mary McNamee in Tonduff, Glenfin on 27 March 1944, she battled illness for up to 14 years but before that, her life was one of giving. As her friends and neighbours would say: “She couldn’t do enough for you. She would never take and was always giving.”

This was summed up in the Homily at her funeral Mass by Fr Jeremiah Munyoki, who said: “She poured herself out for her family, for her husband Peter, for her children and grandchildren and for her community.”

Mary attended Ballykerrigan NS followed by second level at Finn College, Stranorlar. On leaving school, she worked in Finntown Post Office for a period of time before she moved to Milford Post Office. It was in Milford where she met Peter Conlon, who was stationed there as a guard. They married in 1967 and lived in Churchill, where Peter was then stationed. Mary gave up her work at this time. In 1969, they moved to Ballyshannon and built their home on Cornhill.

Mary enjoyed playing sport and in her early years she played camogie for Glenfin and county Donegal. In Ballyshannon, she took up badminton and played competitively for a number of years for the club. She also coached the youth members of the badminton club.

She enjoyed set dancing and travelled far and wide until the early stages of dementia began to set in. Many of the people she danced with over the years have often commented on her great dancing ability.

Mary was very caring in nature; she travelled twice and sometimes three times a week to help care for her mother Katie McNamee who also had dementia towards the end of her life.

Throughout her life, she generously gave of her time and talents to her community and neighbours. In Ballyshannon, she volunteered in many ways, one of which was here in the Rock Chapel, flower arranging, eucharistic minister, active member of the church committee.

Mary was a woman of great faith, from a young girl the Rosary was a part of her family’s nightly routine. On the evening before Mary passed Peter, her children and grandchildren once again gathered to say the Rosary together. They took great comfort in knowing how much peace and strength this familiar prayer would have brought her in her final moments.

She attended daily Mass in St Joseph’s in Ballyshannon, driving her neighbours and good friends, Dolores, Tess and Phylis, which inevitably ended up back in Mary’s house for a cup of tea and one of her freshly baked homemade scones.

Her Bed and Breakfast business was legendary, as were her cooking skills. She was also a talented seamstress, with a remarkable eye for detail, creating countless garments, often especially for her daughters. Among her most treasured works were creating her own wedding dress, Kathleen’s wedding dress and Maria’s wedding cape. She made various Irish dancing costumes for her daughters.

She would go to great lengths to find the perfect materials, once even searching the country for a custom-made jade green leather jacket with studs and tassels for Maria in her teens. Every piece she made reflected the dedication, care and love she poured into her family. She also used her great talents to help the community by making costumes for the Musical Society.

She adored her eight grandchildren and was always on hand to look after them. They loved the special treatment they received whenever they went to Granny’s house. Mary had a remarkable way with all children-her energy and infectious laugh always won them over. Whether it was joining them down a slide, hitting a sliotar with them in the back garden, or guiding them to make cookies, she always worked at their level, making each child feel like the most important person in the world at that moment.

She was a great neighbour and friend and was always there for them and in turn her neighbours and friends offered great support to her and Peter, especially over the last number of years.

The family recognised the privilege of keeping Mary at home; looking after her was never a burden, it was the least that could be done for all the love and care they had received over the years.

In addition, this was possible with the tremendous support afforded by her carers, especially her regulars, Chloe, Frances, Karen, Sharlene, Carmel and Jennifer. Her funeral Mass took place in St Joseph’s, The Rock and the symbols on the altar reflected her life. 

Rosary beads – Mary had great faith and said the rosary daily; Rolling pin – Mary was a fabulous cook; Pin cushion – Mary was  talented seamstress; A sliotar and a badminton racket – Representing Mary’s love to play sport; Dancing shoes – Mary travelled far and wide and had many friends through her love of set dancing.

Her funeral Mass was concelebrated by Fr  Fr Jeremiah Munyoki and Fr Dermot Burke. Afterwards, her remains were interred in the adjoining cemetery.

Predeceased by her parents, Patrick and Katie McNamee and her sister Catherine, Mary Conlon is survived by her husband Peter; children Kathleen (Eoin RIP) O’Moore, Damian (Nicola) Conlon and Maria (Ken) Doherty; siblings Paddy, Ann, Charlie and Bridget; grandchildren Aoibheann, Michael, Dearbhla, Róise, Manus, Donnacha, Siofra and Enya.