The late Noeleen Kilmartin

The death occurred on September 19 last of Mrs Noeleen Kilmartin (nee Reynolds), Roselawn Lodge, Kinnegad, wife of Mr Brendan Kilmartin and mother of Fr Michael Kilmartin, CC, Mullingar; Marie-Thérèse, and Barry.Mrs Kilmartin died peacefully at her home, and following an illness diagnosed earlier this year. She was 72 years of age.Born in 1938 in Cavan before moving to Lough Owel and later St Brigid's Terrace, Mullingar, Noeleen attended Presentation Primary school prior to heading to the Convent of Mercy, Moate as a boarding student. After school, Noeleen headed to Manchester to train as nurse, completing her midwifery qualification in Holles Street in Dublin.Over the course of her nursing career, Noeleen made many great friends along the journey, working at various times in Mullingar, Tullamore and Galway hospitals.She particularly enjoyed the blessing of helping to deliver new babies into the world. Indeed it was as a nurse she first met her husband Brendan who was a patient in Mullingar.Noeleen qualified as a Public Health Nurse in the early 1980s and was appointed to the Enfield and Longwood areas in Co. Meath where she happily visited homes and schools for 21 years until her retirement. She thoroughly enjoyed working in the community, meeting and supporting so many people. One of her proudest achievements was helping to attain a new Health Centre for Enfield.A most active lady with a keen sense of civic responsibility and of service to the community, Noeleen served on school management boards in Kinnegad and Rochfortbridge; she was a founder of Kinnegad Tennis Club as well as being a member of the Altar Society and Eucharistic Minister. Noeleen firmly believed in active engagement in sports and promoted tennis as an activity for the benefit of the youth in Kinnegad, often driving youth tennis teams to tournaments throughout Meath and Westmeath. She was also a member of the Edenderry Musical Society in the early days.She had a passion for travel with Rome being her favourite city to visit. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends at home and abroad, and she was an active member of the Lake Bridge Club. She loved gardening and experienced the joy of the colour and scent of flowers.Sadly, Noeleen was diagnosed with a serious illness earlier this year and she faced this with great strength, faith and dignity at all times.At her funeral, Mrs Kilmartin's son Fr Michael stated that his mother was a very principled person: "She had high moral standards. She had definite views on right and wrong. She campaigned on pro life issues stressing the dignity of life. One of her phrases was never 'make fish of one and flesh of another'," he recalled, describing too her devotion to her faith, bringing her family up with the Rosary as a family prayer."Noeleen loved people. She could strike up conversation easily," he continued, recalling how she enjoyed being a public health nurse.He also paid tribute to his mother for "her professionalism, her prayer life, pride in her children, her progressive nature, her passion for life; the way she prepared for her death: perseverance while so sick"."But I think Mum as a people person, a woman of principle, and a practical character epitomises her well," he said.Fr Kilmartin said that during his mother's illness, the family became very conscious of the generosity of people giving blood, and he issued a word of encouragement to people to donate blood.Noeleen's family, Brendan, Marie-Thérèse, Fr. Michael and Barry wish to express their sincere thanks to all who supported them during the sad loss, those who visited their home and attended the funeral. They also wish to thank Fr. Tom Gilroy, PP Kinnegad and the other priests who attended Noeleen during her illness. They are very appreciative of the care shown by Dr. Grainne Clyne, Tyrellspass and her team, all in Mark Wright's Pharmacy, Professor Carney and the staff of St. Benedict's Ward in the Mater Private Hospital, the community and public health nurses in Kinnegad, the care assistants who attended Noeleen as well as the Pallative Care Team in Westmeath.Mrs Kilmartin is survived by her husband and children, as well as by her daughter-in-law, Nuala; her grandchildren Shane and Emer; her sister, Teresa; her bothers Tom, Porick and Louis, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews, aunt Lily, dear friends Kay, Rita and Sheilagh, extended family and friends. Ar dheis Dé a hanam Ar dheis Dé a hanam dílis.