The late Maureen Fleming

It surprised many who learned of the death of Maureen Fleming of Kinnegad, who died on March 25 last, to learn that she was actually 70 years of age.That surprise came because Maureen was something of a dynamo, having great enthusiasm for life; great energy, and a youthful outlook, and not someone who caved in with the passing of time.Indeed, such was Maureen's spirit that despite her ten year fight with illness, she lived life to the full, looking always to the long-term, planning for a future that sadly, wasn't to be her fate.A former bank official with the Ulster Bank, Maureen had been retired for about twelve years, and was deeply involved in her local community in Kinnegad.She was involved with the local Community Development Association, and with the Tidy Towns organisation. She was also a long-time member of the Longford Westmeath Argentina Society, and without fail, attended that organisation's annual social "Asado" at the Rustic Inn in Abbeyshrule, often, indeed, taking responsibility for helping with organising the event.Maureen's fascination with Argentina arose from the fact that her maternal grandparents lived there, and indeed, her own mother was born on the journey from Buenos Aires to Dublin. Having many relations in Argentina, she travelled there a number of times to keep the links alive, and, of course, to enjoy that country's scenery and culture.Maureen's health took a turn for the worst only about a month before her death. She underwent treatment, and following that, went to the Newbrook Nursing Home in Mullingar to convalesce for two weeks.The day after St. Patrick's Day, Maureen came home but unfortunately, her health went downwards, and a few days later, she was admitted to the St. Camillus Nursing Centre Chapel, Killucan.That said, Maureen still remained in good spirits, and right up to the day of her death, she spoke with family of plans she had in the offing, including a cruise which she had planned to undertake in June.Maureen is survived by her brother Eddie in Kinnegad, and his wife, also Maureen; by her other brothers Jimmy (USA), and Patrick (England); and her sisters, Kathleen and Agnes (both in the USA), and Anne (Galway); by her nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews, and other relations, as well as by her longtime friend, Eileen Rafferty, a native of Kinnegad who lives in France, but with whom Maureen remained friends, despite the distance separating them.The removal took place from the St. Camillus Nursing Centre Chapel on Saturday March 27, and the remains were received at St. Mary's Church, Kinnegad, by Fr. Gabriel Flynn, brother of Maureen's sister-in-law, Maureen.Fr. Flynn also celebrated the funeral Mass, following which the remains were interred at St. Finian's cemetery, Clonard.