With Her Partner, Dan She Seemed To Make A Number Of Pilgrimages To Medjugorje, The Last At Easter, And Got Great Contentment From The Time She Spent There.

MARY O'connell, ' Thistle House'-Mount-pleasant, Dundalk who died peacefully at home on August 19th besieged by her loving family was an affiliate of a well known local family who was an inspiration to several in the manner that she lived her life and for the fortitude she exhibited in her struggle against sickness over the last 3 years.

Aged fifty five, Mary was one of eight children of Theresa and the late Tony Donnelly who established a successful fruit distributing business, and the spouse of Dan O'connell, the well-known rural supplier. Educated at Dulargy N.S. And Dun Lughaidh Secondary, Mary trained as a nurse in St. Vincent's Hospital in Dublin, qualifying in 1977.

She completed her midwifery in Altnagelvin Infirmary in Derry in 1979. Mary then worked for a while as a midwife in one of the country's biggest motherhood hospices, the Rotunda in Dublin before moving to St. James's Infirmary where she was attached to the oncology unit.

A sense of adventure took Mary to Saudi Arabia where she worked for 2 years in a hospital in the capital, Jeddah. On her return from Saudi, Mary was encouraged to help out in one of the family firms, 'The Sportsmans ' on the Newry Road which the family then owned.

She relished the change in occupation and helped in building up the business. It was during her time in 'The Sportsmans ' that Mary met her hubby, Dan and the couple married in Sep, 1987.

Thereafter Mary's primary role was that of a mum and in helping Dan to sanction the rural supply business that he opened in his family's home at 'Thistle Cross'. Over the years the business faced many challenges such as the intrusion of the north link of the MI on their business, the 'Foot and Mouth ' outbreak, as well as continuous fluctuations in the rural economy.but throughout all of these challenges Mary's dependable religion sustained her family.

Her love of music that was nurtured by Fr. Brendan Mcnally in the Youth Orchestra in Ravensdale, of which she used to be a member, was passed on to her kids, 2 of whom, John and Grace played at her funeral Mass.

Mary revelled in her domestic obligations and happy in restoring the furniture in 'Thistle House ', one of the area's oldest and important homes, and she proudly embellished her home with her fondness for flower arranging. She also enjoyed her collaboration in a local book club.

Mary's powerful religion which was clear for most of her life was a great comfort when her illness struck. She became more actively concerned in local prayer groups, and the free handed way in which she concentrated her energies to the concerns of others was an inspiration to several. With her man, Dan she made a number of pilgrimages to Medjugorje, the last at Easter, and got great happiness from the time she spent there.They had a great Medjugorje accommodation.

To several, particularly her loving family who are despondent at her passing, Mary's spirit will always endure, for they can feel her spirit as a constant presence in their lives.She was the torch that lit many lives but that light will never be extinguished for she used to be a noteworthy lady whose bequest will long endure.

Mary is survived by her partner, Dan, boys, Daniel, Harry, David and John, daughter, Grace, mum, Teresa, brother, Andrew, sisters, Kathleen Craig, Yvonne Donnelly, Teresa Mcardle, Irene Donnelly, and Jayne Graham, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, family and buddies. She was predeceased by her pa, Tony in 1993 and brother, Brian in 2005.

Having reposed at home, Mary's remains were brought to St. Brigid's Church, Kilcurry where Requiem Mass was celebrated by Very Rev. C. Mcelwee, P.P. Faughart. Bishop Gerard Clifford presided and also attending were Extremely Rev. P. Murphy, P.P. Ravensdale, Rev. F. Coll, Rev. B.. Buckley, and Rev. B. Mckenna, writes tagza.com.