Obituaries
Noel Desmond Kelly. Formally Ó Ceallaigh.
22nd Dec. 1936 - 6th March 2015. aged 79.
TURRIS FORTIS MIHI DEUS. Our family motto.
GOD IS A TOWER OF STRENGTH TO ME. Supposedly the last word said by Teigh Mor Ó Ceallaigh at the battle of Clontarf 1014. HE was well called upon for strength in the last few weeks.
Our family has been hit by a Tsunami. Firstly the death of my wife Maura (aka Rommel) followed then a little over a fortnight later by Noel.
As a family we are bonded by many characteristics, but today we are bonded by grief.
….but grief in time will turn to sorrow
… and sorrow in time will turn to sadness
… and sadness in time will turn to a little smile
… and that smile in time will turn to memories
… and those memories will bring us to magic days
… days of four spirited brothers playing in the ball ally
… playing cricket on the green in Inchicore where we were from
… the Christmas day when our mother, who was the local district midwife, delivered three children into the world, and still cooked the Christmas dinner for us
… Dad who was the genteelest of men who loved his four sons greatly
… the sadness when he died
… and Noel who was no more than a boy himself stepping up to the mark as a father to both Brian and I
… the toasted sandwiches on Saturday afternoon
… the trips to Brittas Bay
… later the sailing in Misty on the Irish sea
… sailing with his life long friend Gerry Moran on Lady Ruth before she sank,
… our search of Wicklow, and sometimes further afield for the best afternoon tea
… the childlike enjoyment we would get when demolishing cakes with real cream and jam and dainty little savouries - Hunters comes out the best
… his love and knowledge of Irish military history
… the years we spent together researching our own family history, not always agreeing on how it should be done, but never falling out
… our excitement when aspects of our family history were confirmed
… our disappointment when otherwise
… the amazing ancestors we discovered - The Revd Thomas Kelly, a dissenting protestant minister
… our relationship to an ancient Irish King
… what a journey Noel and can I ask you while your there ‘any sign of Rommel? no not yet, ah sure she will be late for the resurrection, as Dad used to say about Mum.
… and in time these memories will turn to Peace and understanding
Hasten the hour.
Joe. March 2015
Maura Frances KELLY nee Byrne
15th June 1945 -19th Feb 2015 aged 69
KELLY (née Byrne) Maura (Blackrock and late of Dalkey) - February 19, 2015 (peacefully) after an illness borne with great courage and dignity in St. Vincent's Private Hospital. Deeply missed by her husband Joe, daughter, Deirdre, son-in-law, grandson Nico, sisters Patsy and Kay, brother-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and a close circle of lifelong friends.
To Maura,
The blackbird sings before the dawn
To herald the morning light.
Just as your smile lit up each day
And banished darkest night.
Your laughter spread a veil of song
O’er every dreary moment.
And your kindness taught us all
How we should live, our lives, content.
When we recall the memories
That we shared with one another .
We will cherish what you meant to us
As Sister, Wife and Mother.
But most of all the greatest gift,
To all of us, you brought ;
Was your everlasting friendship,
In word and deed and thought.
So blackbird sing your joyous song
And we below will listen
While high above, your brave new star
Will, in the heavens, glisten.
Slán go foil, d’ár cara dilis, Maura.
Farewell for a while to our dear friend Maura.
Táimid cinnte go bfhaighidh tu, Fáilte Ui Cheallaigh, o Tiarna na bFlaitheas inniu.
We are certain you will receive an Ó Kelly Welcome from the lord of Heaven today.
Kindest regards, To Joe, Dierdre and Family.
From; Tony.
Poem by Tony Lyons, an old family friend.
It’s only a short while ago when we became aware of Andrew aka Joe Kelly of Sydney Australia. Sadly we now announce his passing.
Joe (Andrew) passed away after a short illness in hospital on November 24. He was 7 weeks past his 100th birthday.
Joe is best described in the words of his daughter-in-law … “He really was an incredible man, to have lived so long, been so active, so upbeat, cute and young at heart right up till the end”.
Joe will be missed by a large circle of family and friends, including his his seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren who enjoyed learning about astronomy from him.
ANDREW EDWARD (JOE) KELLY October 1912 -- November 2013
May he rest in peace.
March ’13
Mrs Zeena McDevitt (née Sherlock)
Zeena, niece of The O’Kelly, and eldest daughter of Major Edward Sherlock
and his wife Louisa (Lu) O’Kelly, died after an eight-month illness on 30th
August 2011 in the Beaumont Hospital, Dublin. Zeena and her sister Hazel
grew up in Rahan near Tullamore. She trained as a radiographer in Drogheda
and Derry. Whilst working in London she was introduced to T. Niall McDevitt,
an engineer with a career in oil and gas pipelines. They married in 1970 and
spent the next 8 years in Iran where Zeena gave birth to two daughters,
Fiona and Sheena.
Back in Ireland, living in Clontarf,Dublin, Zeena worked as a radiographer in
various hospitals before taking a permanent position in the Bon Secours
Hospital, Glasnevin. She became Superintendent Radiographer at the “Bons”
and subsequently accepted an offer to work in The Beaumont Private Clinic
until December 2010.
Zeena had such an affinity with people that she left a lasting impression on
all who met her for her down-to-earth common sense, kindness and
consideration. She is missed not only by her family but by many more. She
was a remarkable woman.
Niall, Fiona and Sheena.
December 2011.