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06 Sept 2025

Longford and Roscommon mourns lovely lady whose warm smile launched thousands more

Late Philomena (Phil) Browne (née Toolan), Ballyglass, Lanesboro, Roscommon / Strokestown, Roscommon

Longford and Roscommon mourns lovely lady whose warm smile launched thousands more

The Late Philomena (Phil) Browne (née Toolan), Ballyglass, Lanesboro, Roscommon / Strokestown, Roscommon

Reporter:

Joe O'Brien

11 Feb 2025 8:33 AM

Email:

Lanesboro correspondent

The smile that launched thousands more will always be remembered but we were greatly saddened on Saturday, February 1 at the news of the death of Philomena Browne, Ballyglass at Sonas Innis Ree Nursing Home, Ballyleague.
Phil, as she was most commonly known as, was a native of Strokestown. In her early years she immigrated to Coventry where she met and fell in love and married Carrickedmond man Jim Browne. Upon their return to Ireland they settled in Ballyglass.
Both Jim and Phil brought a strong love of the GAA back home with them and they instantly became involved in the St Faithleach’s club. They were involved with the Roger Casement club in Coventry and following every game or training there was always extra food on the table in case any young fella that recently arrived from Ireland and was at the match needed a motherly dinner.
Like Phil’s kitchen door in England and in Ballyglass it was always open and friend and stranger alike was warmly welcomed to the home of one of the friendliest and warmest ladies.
Phil was a lover of Irish Dancing and a great club supporter. She always had that warm and welcoming smile but you were not to be fooled by that smile as she was mischievous woman who would love nothing to pull one over on you.
Phil was a wonderful friend to all but especially to her close circle of ladies who would travel on days out that became legendary within the group, Phil’s love and pride was primarily to her husband and extending family but her openness welcomed everyone else in.
She will be greatly missed by everyone in the entire community and her legacy will live long into the future.
Phil reposed at her residence on Monday, February 3 and her Funeral Mass took place at the Church of the Holy Rosary, Ballyleague on Tuesday, February 4 followed by burial in Cloontuskert Cemetery.
To her devoted husband Jim, heartbroken daughters and sons, Helen (Kelly), Teresa (Ormsby), Joseph and Declan, son in law Steve, daughter in law Patricia, her adored grandchildren, Rebecca & Ruth Kelly, Stephen, Siobhan, Aisling & Liam Ormsby, Katie & James Browne, great grandchildren Lottie, Eala & Tommy, her sister Marion Gillooly and brother in law Pete Shiel, we extend our sincere sympathy.
Phil was predeceased by her parents Jim and Margaret Toolan, her sister Eileen Shiel and her son-in-law Michael Kelly.

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