Emyvale Development Association © All Rights Reserved
Scairbh
Na
gCaorach
EMYVALE
Site sponsor for emyvale.net
She had a great empathy with people and showed great compassion for those in trouble or suffering. She had a ready ear to listen and people were heartened when they shared a problem with her. She was at ease with everyone, irrespective of their standing, and age was no barrier as she was able to mix and converse with the young, the teenager and her own age group with equal ease. She was always impeccably dressed and carried herself with decorum and gentle poise.
In his homily at her Requiem Mass, Fr. Cathal Deery, perfectly summed up the character that was Colette. She was one of the most unpunctual people that one might come across and Fr. Deery drew the picture of her arriving into the Church, after Mass had begun, and her walk up the aisle to the front, smiling at all her neighbours as she made her way to her seat. At one stage, prior to her death, it appears that she asked Fr. Deery to refer to her as ‘The Late Late Colette O’Brien’ after her death. He also referred to the great respect she had for priests and the priesthood and the reverence and esteem with which she always treated priests. Those in the congregation were able to nod in approval but could add that she had that same respect for every human being, and indeed for nature too, and this was one of the many qualities, which made her so loved by others.
During the past two years her health had caused her problems and over the final few months she spent time in Monaghan General Hospital, Drumbear Nursing Home and Mullinahinch Nursing Home. She accepted her illness with great fortitude and forbearance, which came from her deep faith and trust in God. After her death she was brought to the home of her son, Enda, and a multitude visited to pay their respects over the following days. On Thursday evening her remains were brought to St. Patrick’s Church, Corracrin, where they were received by Parish Priest of Donagh, Fr, Hubert Martin. The church was packed to overflowing with the numbers attending as was the case again on Friday morning for the Requiem Mass celebrated by Fr. Cathal Deery, assisted by Fr. Terry Toner, Parish Priest of Killnessan/Dunsany in Co. Meath, where Val resides. Family members were involved in all aspects of the Liturgy and appropriate hymns were rendered by members of the local choirs, with organists Paula McAree and Amelia McCormack. Soloists were Amelia McCormack and Edelle McMahon and special hymns were presented by members of the McCormick family – Kevin, Eamon and Oisin, who were formerly from Emyvale but now living in Kildare and close friends of Colette and the O’Brien family. Afterwards her remains were interred in the adjoining cemetery.
Colette will be missed by the entire community but especially by her sons: Eugene, Val and Enda; her daughters-in-law – Kathleen, Maureen and Marie; her brothers – Paddy and Joe; her sisters-in-law – Maureen, Tully and Julie; her brother-in-law Kevin; her 12 grandchildren; and her multitude of relatives and friends and we offer our sincere sympathies to all of them.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam naofa.