Tributes paid to Teresa Frayne, mother, grandmother, and pillar of community

Tributes have been paid to Teresa (Kathleen) Frayne (née McGivney), many from the countless numbers of customers she dealt with over many years in business on Mount Street, Mullingar.

Teresa was born Kathleen Teresa McGivney on March 31, 1938 in Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan to John and Roseanne McGivney, the youngest of five, along with her sister Rose, and three brothers Andy, Brendan and Vincent. There were three other Kathleens in Teresa’s class at school so the teachers made her take her second name.

In 1959, she followed her sister Rose to Mullingar to take up hairdressing under Rita and Mai Nally at 7 Mount Street. Shortly after, Rose emigrated to New York along with Andy and Brendan.

Teresa continued hairdressing, and in 1962, she met Tom Frayne. They were married on September 8, 1964. They had two children, Tommy and Bernie.

In 1971, Teresa and Tom took over 7 Mount Street from Rita and Mai, and Fraynes Bakery and Coffee Shop was born.

Teresa continued to run New York hair salon, and she took great pride in all her customers who loved coming in for a chat and a cup of tea and a bun.

Rose and Teresa regularly went to London and Paris on hairdressing courses together, and Teresa also trained a lot of hairdressers. She continued working until her retirement 22 years ago.

Teresa was a great mother. Even though she worked full-time, she and Tom made sure their children got to enjoy their sporting activities and hobbies. That interest continued to her grandchildren, who she adored. Right up to the very end, she had a huge interest in all their activities and took great pride in them.

Teresa’s main hobby was playing bridge. She was competitive and thoroughly enjoyed meeting up with her friends a few evenings a week. Her love of Cavan always continued and any prize money she received, she treated herself to a piece of Cavan Crystal.

She loved gardening and took great pride in her Hydrangeas and Fuschias. She was also a member of the ICA; she did Tai Chi for years and loved nothing more than walks on the canal line with her friends.

There were annual holidays to the Bernie (guest accommodation) on Achill Island and then Jersey. In later years, Tom and Teresa enjoyed lovely holidays in Portugal, as well as regular trips to visit family in New York.

She was heartbroken when her beloved husband Tom passed away suddenly on January 4, 2014.

She had her knee replaced in September 2016, and, while initially doing well, by the next year she had to cope with one complication after the other and was in and out of hospital for nearly two years until, eventually, in November 2018, the doctors said she needed full-time care.

At that time, Teresa move to Newbrook Lodge, where she was looked after well by the staff. She faced her illness bravely and never complained. She was also deaf, but she just kept smiling all the time.

Teresa had great faith and was attended Mass daily when she could; she was devoted to Our Lady.

Teresa and Rose loved their annual trip to Knock, where they would stay in the convent.

Teresa is now at peace with Tom and her other family members and friends in Heaven. May she rest in peace.

Dearly loved mother of Tommy and Bernie (McHugh) and adored granny of Emily Rose, James, Ella and Tom, Teresa will be sadly missed and forever remembered by her family, son-in-law Seamus, daughter-in-law Elaine, sisters-in-law Ann McGivney and Dympna Casey and her husband Sean, Liam Cleary, nieces, nephews, extended family, relatives, neighbours and many friends.

Teresa’s Funeral Mass was at the Cathedral of Christ the King on Wednesday January 21, and burial followed in Turin Cemetery.