‘A lovely lady, warm-hearted and a friend to all’: Limerick woman who died in collision to be laid to rest

A PENSIONER who was pronounced deceased at the scene of a road traffic collision just a 100 yards from her home is being remembered as a “very special, happy person”.

She has been named locally as Eilish Cooney (née Keays), of Abington, Murroe, County Limerick.

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The single vehicle fatal road traffic collision occurred on the Abington Road, Murroe at around 4.10pm on Thursday, December 11.

“The driver of the car, a woman aged in her 70s, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Her body has been removed to University Hospital Limerick where a post mortem will take place,” said a garda spokesperson. 

Mrs Toomey’s funeral arrangements have been announced with reposal at Meehan’s Funeral Home, Newport on Monday from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Arrival on Tuesday to the Holy Rosary Church, Murroe for Requiem Mass at 11.30 am, which will be live streamed here Burial afterwards in Abington Cemetery.

Predeceased by her husband Tommy, Mrs Toomey is sadly missed by her son Thomas, daughter Breda, daughter-in-law Grace, son-in-law Michael, grandchildren Aoife, Tom, Katie and Ellie, sisters Mary, Eileen, Josephine, and Teresa, brothers John, Paddy and Richard, nephews, nieces, extended family, neighbours, relatives and friends.

Countless tributes have been paid to Mrs Cooney following her tragic passing.

Cllr Martin Ryan, in paying his condolences to her family, said it’s a very sad time coming up to Christmas.

“Eilish was always a joy to meet and to talk to. She was a great character, a lovely lady, very well-got and very well-liked,” said Cllr Ryan from Cappamore.

Fellow councillor, Noreen Stokes, Pallasgreen, expressed her deepest sympathies to the family of Mrs Cooney on her untimely passing.

“Eilish was a great community lady, and was always willing to help anyone that needed a helping hand. Eilish loved to chat to people and will be a huge loss to her family and friends,” said Cllr Stokes.

Mrs Cooney, who ran Millbank House B&B for many years, was very well-liked in her own parish and across east Limerick.

One mourner wrote on rip.ie: “I was so shocked and devastated to hear of Eilish's sudden death as I was only laughing and enjoying her company an hour before. She was a wonderful kind lady and will be sadly missed by all. May her gentle soul rest in peace”

Another person wrote of the sad and sudden death of a loving mother, grandmother and sister. 

“Eilish was such a lovely lady, warm-hearted and a friend to all. May her kind and gentle soul enjoy eternal peace.”

Mrs Cooney “truly was a very special, happy person” recalled a sympathiser, who described her as “a lovely neighbour who was full of friendship and fun”.

A former work colleague for many years said Mrs Cooney was “always such a beautiful, kind, and caring lady”. 

May she rest in peace.