Scairbh

Na

gCaorach

EMYVALE

Lizzie McKenna R.I.P.

It is with regret that we record the death of Lizzie McKenna, Main Street, Emyvale, and formerly from Dernashallog. Lizzie, nee McMahon, had been ill for the previous four months but her condition deteriorated more rapidly in the last two weeks of her life. She passed away very peacefully in Cavan General Hospital on Saturday, October 10th, surrounded by family members. Her remains were brought to her home on Main Street and people from a wide area called to pay their respects and offer their condolences over the weekend. The funeral took place to St. Patrick’s Church, Corracrin, on Monday for 11am Requiem Mass.

Celebrant was Fr. Hubert Martin, PP Donagh. Members of the family and relatives were involved in the Liturgy and the big crowd in attendance heard Fr. Martin describe Lizzie as a quiet unassuming lady, who had a very strong faith. Organist was Patricia McGonnell and hymns were sung by members of the St. Mary’s and St. Patrick’s choirs with psalmist, Gertie McNally. Burial took place in the family plot in St. Patrick’s Cemetery after Mass.

Lizzie was a member of the McMahon family from Killycooley and she married Johnny McKenna and lived on the farm in Dernashallog. She was a very quiet lady, who worked hard and lived out her faith with sincerity and a great trust in God. It was this trust in God which helped her cope with many trials in life and these included the deaths of her husband and two of her sons. Peter, while in his early 20’s, died as the result of an accident, which happened on the Emyvale/Aughnacloy road in 1970. Then Johnny died in 1977 and soon afterwards she moved with her son Gerry, to a house on Main Street, Emyvale. Her happiness there was shattered in 2002 when Gerry passed away after an illness. Her two daughters, Peggy Clerkin, Ardaghey, and Mary Deighan, Stranooden, and their families were constant callers with her and she spent many weekends with Peggy and family after Gerry’s death. In her 87th year, Lizzie developed health problems during the past Summer and spent time in Monaghan General Hospital, Drumbear Nursing Home and Cavan General Hospital. However it was only in the last couple of days of her life that her condition deteriorated and her death was more sudden than expected.

Whether in Dernashallog, Emyvale or Ardaghey, Lizzie was the serene and tranquil person, despite whatever crosses she might be carrying at any particular time. She would never pass a person without bidding the time of day and she offered a smile to everyone. She loved company and loved socialising. She was a great supporter of all community activity and loved attending family or community get-togethers. She was a great neighbour to those living near her and she worried for them and was concerned for them. Her family, and her extended family members, were always in her thoughts and she celebrated with them and was overjoyed when they had reason to rejoice.

She also cried with them and for them and prayed for them when they suffered knocks. She led a simple life and was happy when she had the simple necessities of living and would share what she had with anyone in need. Peace and contentment were the greatest possessions to be gained in life. Prayer had a central role in her daily routine and she attended Mass when at all possible. She was a constant visitor to Benburb Priory on Monday nights and derived great strength from the ceremonies there. She lived a few doors away from the Donagh Oratory in Emyvale and seldom missed Mass there. She certainly deserves her eternal reward now.

We offer our sincere condolences to her daughters, Peggy and Mary; to her son Eddie; to her brothers, Ted and Joe; to her sons-in-law P.J. and Peter; to her daughter-in-law Maureen; to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; to her nephews and nieces; and to all her relatives and friends. Ar dheis De go raibh a h-anam naofa.

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