Community mourns passing of Offaly woman following a long illness

THE death has taken place – following a long illness - of Bernadette (Bernie) Heffernan, Ballyfarrell, Blueball.

Aged 69, the former Bernadette Daly was born in Ballina, Ballycumber, on 19th February 1955. She attended the Island National School and Killina Presentation Secondary School.

Following some time working as a telephonist in England, Bernie secured employment at Tullamore General Hospital, working as Receptionist for the next 40 years. It was there she performed her duties diligently and made numerous friends over all those years.

Bernie liked her social life, always making the effort to dress up well. She loved her jewellery and make-up.

Following many attempts at meeting "the right man", she finally hit the jackpot in the Bridge House in 1992, when she met William Heffernan from Ballyfarrell, Blueball. They were married in St Colman’s Church Mucklagh, on 20th August,1994.

Bernie passed away on Tuesday, 15th October, in her home. Large crowds attended both her reposing in Lawless’s Funeral Home, Mucklagh, and her funeral Mass in St Brigid’s Church, Mountbolus. Numerous work colleagues of Bernie from Tullamore Hospital attended both occasions.

The chief celebrant at her funeral Mass was Fr Eugene McLoughlin, a life-long family friend who had grown up in Bernie’s native place known as The Island.

Fr Eugene was joined at the Mass by Fr Michael Meade, P.P. Mountbolus and Fr Frank Guinan, Mucklagh. Following the funeral Mass, a cremation ceremony took place at Mount Jerome Crematorium, Harold’s Cross, Dublin.

Bernie is survived by her husband William, sisters Marie White (Mucklagh), Annette Clarke (Lucan), Martina Grennan (Killina, Rahan) and her brother Mike Daly (Pearl River, New York).