Longford mourns death of warm and caring Helen Curran

Her remains were removed to Glennon's funeral home, Longford where she reposed on Saturday, June 10 from 5pm to 8pm.

Over 1,800 people filed past in tribute. Her remains were then removed to her home in Smear and a wake took place until 12 noon on Sunday.

Her remains were removed to Colmcille Church for 1pm requiem mass and funeral in the adjoining cemetery. As the hearse proceeded to Colmcille hundreds of people lined the route. And her funeral was one of the largest in Colmcille for some time.

Helen was born in Legga. She attended Legga National School and Ballinamuck Tech. After that she emigrated to Leeds in Yorkshire in England. She did not like it there and she returned to Legga.

She then started working in Kane's pub in Longford. At that time she met Charlie Curran and they got married in Legga Church in August 1978. Charlie and Helen had three children Kay, Margaret and Joe.

Helen had a very friendly, pleasant outgoing personality. She made friends easily. It did not matter if it was at a wedding, funeral, social event or on holiday. Most of her friendships became longstanding. She had few enemies. But if you annoyed her she would let you know you had.

When her family was reared she started to work part time in Dolan's pub (Kinlans) in Cleenrath. She became very popular with the patrons. Some patrons said she only worked for the “craic” and not for the money. She worked there for many years and kept the pub open during Michael Dolan's illness. Sadly it is now closed.

Helen was a very witty person. Her family nickname was The Bishops. During the craic she used unparliamentary language. One of the patron's quipped he did not think a Bishop's daughter would use that language.

At that time she also did a course in social and community care. She became very popular with her patients and went far beyond her remit to help them. If a TV or fridge failed, a letter needed posting, a bill to be paid, a prescription was needed from a doctor or chemist, she was off in her car to get it. And she was available on the mobile to deal with their calls.

Helen was a big supporter of Dromard GAA but she did not neglect Colmcille either. Supporting Dromard was easy for many years but with Colmcille in the ascendancy a fellow Dromard supporter told her it was difficult to support Dromard with all the gab from the Colmcilles.

Helen had a very special interest in people with disabilities. She was a big supporter of St Christopher's school in Longford. She was forever selling tickets for raffles and events and was involved in the annual festival at Dring. She just went ahead and did her own thing and she did this for over half a century in her quiet and pleasant way.

Helen's remains were removed from her house in Smear on Sunday June 11 to Colmcille church for requiem Mass and funeral in the adjoining cemetery.

The requiem Mass was concelebrated by Father Seamus McKeon PP Colmcille and Father McHugh PP Mullahoran. Her daughter Kay and grandson Jack did the readings and the prayers were read by grandchildren Danny, Jemma, James, Katie and Sarah. The homily was delivered by Fr McKeon and eulogy by her daughter Margaret. Both outlined her great contribution to her family and to the community.

Mick Flavin played Helen's favourite song and Miriam Jones Rathmore rendered hymns in her memory.

Helen was predeceased by her father Frank McNerney (Bishop), Legga and her brother Seamus, Cavan.

She is survived by her husband Charlie, Smear; daughters Kay Patton, Smear and Margaret Murtagh, Edenmore and her son Joe, Smear; her mother Mrs Margaret McNerney Legga; brothers Joe, Legga, Francis, Legga, Eamon, Legga and sisters Elizabeth Fitzpatrick, Leeds, Margaret McGahern, Mullahoran and Anne, Legga; her daughter-in-law Marie, sons-in-law John and Padraig, her adoring grandchildren Jack, Gemma, Daniel, James, Sarah, Katie and Emily, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Helen's death has caused a void in the family and community that will not be easily filled. The best way to remember Helen would be to give a donation to St Christopher’s School Longford.

- Jim Curran, brother in law, London