Helen Walsh
The Demesne, Hollymount
Much sadness was occasioned throughout the area by the death last week of Helen Walsh, The Demesne, Hollymount. She died peacefully at her residence after an illness borne with courage and fortitude.
Helen (50) (nee Coen) from the village, was an immensely respected member of the local community. She had served as school secretary in Roundfort NS for a number of years. In earlier times, she worked on the switchboard in Hollymount Post Office and later did ‘cover’ for Maureen Heaney during holiday time.
She had a great fondness for the area and was actively involved in various aspects of the community life of the region. She was a member of the Hollymount bingo committee and was always ready and willing to lend a helping hand. She was also active with the Hollymount Ladies GAA Club.
She had a great fondness for GAA and she often accompanied her husband Tom to Mayo GAA matches around the province and to Croke Park on big match days. Tom is a popular and well liked member of the staff at Connacht Gold (formerly NCF) in Claremorris and has also been PRO of the Mayo Ploughing Committee for a number of years.
Helen and Tom raised a family of four sons and they were very much at the centre of her life. She was devoted to them and always there to lend sound advice and encouragement along the way.
“Helen was a real lady,” said a neighbour during the week. “She knew so many people around the Hollymount area from her days in the Post Office. She was hugely regarded as secretary in Roundfort school and always made time for everyone. She loved to cycle to and from Roundfort. Everyone had a great time for Helen. She is a great loss to our community.”
When news broke of Helen’s illness around 18 months ago, friends and neighbours rallied to the cause. Various fund-raising ventures to assist her with specialised treatment, including some trips to France, were put in place and received tremendous support, reflecting the special regard in which she was held by so many people. She fought the good fight with great dignity before finally succumbing to the illness a week ago.
Large crowds attended the funeral ceremonies and a constant stream of callers filed past the coffin in the family home over several hours on Saturday. Removal took place on Monday to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Roundfort for Mass at 2 o’clock celebrated by Fr Mike Murphy, PP, with the funeral proceeding to Roundfort cemetery. Members of Hollymount Ladies GAA as well as friends from the local bingo committee, neighbours, and the children from Roundfort NS formed a large guard of honour.
Helen, who was predeceased by her father Johnny Coen, is survived by her husband Tom, sons John, Brian, Adrian and Mark, her mother Mary Coen, her sister Annette McCabe, brother-in-law PJ, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and many friends.