OBITUARIES: Mr Gerard Whelan; Mrs Ann Buckley; Mrs Una Mann

Mr Gerard Whelan

The sudden passing, on Friday last, September 7, of Mullingar based postman, Gerard Whelan was greeted with shock and sadness, not alone in Mullingar but in the wider community as well. Gerard, who resided at Chestnut Grove, Mullingar, is survived by his heartbroken wife, Evelyn and his children, Sinéad (Murray) and Joe. He was taken ill in the early hours of Thursday morning and despite immediate medical assistance, he lost his battle for life just over twenty four hours later.

Gerard, who is also survived by his mother, Eileen, his sisters, Margaret, Ursula and Colette and brothers, Donal, Joseph and Kevin, was a member of the staff of Mullingar Post Office for more than thirty years.

He followed in the steps of his late father, Joe, who was a senior member of the clerical staff at Mullingar GPO for many years. Gerard, however, was more of a hands on postman, serving routes around the Mullingar district until about fifteen years ago when he transferred to Castlepollard.

One of four postal delivery workers in Castlepollard, Gerard was extremely popular, not alone with colleagues but with the members of the community. As part of his brief, he would set out early each morning with the post, not alone for Castlepollard, but also for neighbouring Collinstown, travelling there first before bringing the remainder of the post to his colleagues in Castlepollard.

In very recent times, that routine was disrupted when the Post Office in Collinstown shut and Gerard would travel directly to Castlepollard with all the post for North Westmeath.

Away from his professional life, Gerard was very much a family man, an adored husband and best friend to Evelyn and much loved father to Sinéad and Joe. He loved the company of family and close friends, while also enjoying an occasional flutter on the horses, with the annual Cheltenham Festival being a particular must-see event.

Gerard's funeral Mass will be celebrated in the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar tomorrow (Wednesday) at 10am, followed by a private cremation.

Deepest sympathy is extended to Evelyn, Sinéad and Joe, to his mother, Eileen, his brothers, sisters, his mother-in-law, Eileen, son-in-law, Patrick, his extended family circle, colleagues in An Post and his many friends.

 

Mrs Ann Buckley

News of the sudden but peaceful passing, on Tuesday last September 4 of Ann Buckley, Old Ballinderry, Mullingar was greeted with great sadness. The former Ann Gavin, she was predeceased by her husband, Brendan.

Mrs Gavin died unexpectedly in the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar and she reposed at Gilsenan's Funeral Home on Thursday, with her funeral Mass being celebrated in the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar on Friday morning. She was later laid to rest in Ballyglass Cemetery.

The chief mourners were her daughters, Mary, Ann, Caroline Rafter (Limerick) and Olive, her adored grandchildren and great grandchildren, her sisters, Esther, Eileen and Sheila, extended family members and friends to whom deepest sympathy is extended.

 

Mrs Una Mann

Una resided at Catherinestown, Gaybrook, Mullingar. She passed away on August 25 last, in her 93rd year (peacefully) surrounded by her loving family, in the tender care of the staff and nurses at Laurel Lodge Nursing Home, Longford.

Una moved from Longford to Mullingar in 1950 where she began her nursing career in St Loman’s Hospital, and there she met her husband Edward (Ned) and they married in 1952.

During their 66 years of marriage, Una and Ned were a very devoted couple. Una had a large circle of friends and neighbours in Mullingar and further afield though Ned’s GAA connections.

A woman of deep faith, Una was a regular visitor to Knock Shrine.

Throughout her years she was a keen gardener and in latter years devoted a lot of her time to her grandchildren.

Una will be sadly missed by husband Edward (Ned), daughters Mena and Pauline (Nally); son Dermot, grandchildren David, Louise, Maria and Ciara, son in Law Martin, daughter in Law, Margaret, nephews and nieces, relatives and a wide circle of good neighbours and friends.

Her funeral took place at the Cathedral of Christ the King Mullingar on Tuesday August 28, and was followed by interment at Kilronan Cemetery. May she rest in peace.