The late Agnes Glancy

One of Mullingar's most senior and best known citizens, Agnes Glancy of Glenview, Dublin Road, Mullingar, passed to her eternal reward on Sunday, February 14.Agnes (92) died in the devoted care of the Matron and staff of St. Clair's Nursing Home, Ballinderry, Mullingar, where she had resided for the past two years.Wife of the late Tommy, who died in 1984, and mother of Eithne (Kavanagh), Agnes was a native of Emper, Ballynacargy. The eldest of seven children, she was predeceased by her brother and five sisters.Agnes first came to the town of Mullingar during the 1940s. Within a short time of arriving in Mullingar, she threw herself body and soul into the community life of the town.As one of the first residents of the Dublin Road, Mullingar, Agnes and Tommy built a farm and family home, which they maintained with great dedication and reverence for the land.One of the founder members of Mullingar Agricultural Show, Agnes was a long serving show committee member, and played a key role when the committee negotiated the purchase of land at Cullion. A dressmaker by trade and a superb cook, Agnes won many show awards for her needlework, dressmaking and cookery. She also functioned as a judge at many shows across the country during her long life.An enthusiastic member of the ICA, Agnes was a member of the Ballinafid guild, and represented her colleagues at federation level. She also taught dressmaking at the ICA's central office at An Grianán in Co. Louth.Agnes was a deeply religious woman, and she attended 10am Mass at the Cathedral every morning she could.Voluntary service to the community played a major role in her faith. A member of the Legion of Mary in Mullingar, she was a former member of the Clothing Society in Mullingar, which distributed clothes to poorer people in the area during the tough times of the twentieth century. She also involved herself with Meals On Wheels activities in the town.As evidence of her extraordinary, independent spirit, Agnes continued dressmaking and driving a car well into her 80s.She is survived by her daughter Eithne, son-in-law Bryan, grandchildren Barry, Matthew, Ruth and Hugh, great-grandson Dylan, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and a large circle of friends.After a repose at the Sacred Heart Chapel, Ballinderry on Tuesday, February 16, Agnes was removed to the Cathedral of Christ the King that evening.She was prayed for by a large number of people at the Cathedral during her Requiem Mass on the morning of Ash Wednesday, February 17.The Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Michael Kilmartin, CC, Mullingar, who officiated at the graveside when Agnes was laid to rest at Ballyglass Cemetery, Mullingar.