McKeown, Des
March 26, 2013Des McKeown, 11 Mountain View, Pollerton, Carlow lost a long, courageous and dignified battle with a serious illness on Tuesday morning last, 19 March, when he passed away peacefully at Waterford Regional Hospital surrounded by his loving family.
Aged 54, Des had been diagnosed with cancer some two years ago. He adopted a very positive attitude to his illness, always hoping for a return to better health through many hospital treatments, while maintaining as normal a lifestyle as possible in the circumstances. Des showed wonderful resilience, coming through against the odds more than once, but his condition deteriorated in recent months and he spent the last three weeks of his life in Waterford Regional, where he slipped into a coma before passing away.
A native of Carlow town, Des was one of three sons of Marion (nee Butler.) and the late Michael (Mick) McKeown, Springfield Drive, Rathnapish. He was educated at the local CBS primary and
secondary schools. After his school days, he joined The Nationalist newspaper at the age of 15, serving his time as a compositor, which involved the make-up of pages.
Des remained in the print industry throughout his working life. For the past ten years, he had worked on electronic page make-up with the Sunday Business Post, where he was a highly regarded, valued and popular employee, as he had been in The Nationalist. Des was noted for his ability to adapt very quickly to the ever-advancing technology of the print industry.
Des was unfailingly in good humour and always saw the lighter side of life - traits which endeared him to all and sundry. He was also a man who greatly valued friendships, both inside and outside the workplace - friendships that were reciprocated during his long period of illness.
A keen sportsman, Des played Gaelic football for Eire Og, Milford and Tinryland GAA clubs before becoming involved with O'Hanrahan's GFC. At the time of his death, he was club secretary, having previously served as juvenile chairman. He was also a Blues delegate to Carlow County Board of the GAA and a club delegate to the annual convention. Des attended the 2012 convention in Tinryland last December.
He was atso a Manchester United fan. Des was married to the former Ann Dunne from Carlow and they had two children, Cliodhna and Cillian. Des and Ann met through a common interest in badminton. His passing at a comparatively young age has robbed the family of a devoted husband, father, brother and son.
Des was waked in Carpenter's Funeral Home, Barrack Street on Tuesday and Wednesday, before removal on Wednesday evening, 20 March, to the Cathedral of the Assumption, where his remains were received by Fr John Cummins, Adm.
Fr Tom Little, PP, Askea-Bennekerry-Tinryland was chief celebrant at Des's funeral Mass on Thursday afternoon, assisted by Fr Cummins, Fr Brendan Howard, PP, Ballon-Rathoe, Fr Liam Merrigan, PP, Monasterevin and Fr Adrian Carbery, PP, Kildare.
Symbols of Des's life brought forward at the beginning of Mass were a copy of the Sunday Business Post, symbolising his working life, a Gaelic football and an O'Hanrahan's jersey, denoting his love of sport and involvement with The Blues. These items were brought forward by Des's daughter Cliodhna and niece Aoife Lawler.
The Prayers of the Faithful were recited by his son Cillian, nephew Hal Dunne, work colleague Garvan Grant, sister-in-law Bernadette McKeown and niece Jadzia Akenzua. The readings were by Des's brothers Brendan and Aidan and nephew Barry McKeown.
The Offertory gifts were brought to the altar by Des's brother-in-law Paul Dunne and nephew Jonathan O'Reagan.
In a homily during Mass, Fr Little spoke of the great love Des had for his family and the love shown to him in return. He spoke of the great love his wife Ann had for Des and said she had maintained a bedside vigil for Des for the final three weeks of his life at Waterford Regional. Regarding his working life in the print industry, Fr Little referred to the talent that Des brought to the make-up of pages at the two newspapers for which he worked.
At the end of Mass, Des's brother Aidan McKeown spoke of the fact that Des had made many friends during his life - friendships that had endured and strengthened during his lengthy illness.
He paid glowing tribute to the oncology unit at Waterford Regional Hospital for its "dedication and compassion" and the consideration the staff showed towards his family.
Aidan also praised Des's GP, Dr Gerard Moran, adding that they had been to school together, as well as pharmacist Paul White and his staff for their kindness at all times in providing necessary medication for Des. There was praise also for the Carlow/Kilkenny Homecare Team.
Aidan then went on to outline several people for special mention in terms of their care and consideration for Des during his illness, including his former Nationalist colleague and close friend Clem Delaney, who was described as being "a rock" for Des. He also thanked Tom Geoghegan, former managing director of The Nationalist, and Garvan Grant from the Sunday Business Post for their tremendous support. He also had special mention for Ciss and Mark Carpenter for their professional expertise at such a difficult time for the McKeown family and the support they had provided over a long period of time.
He also referred to the benefit night held last October for Des at Carpenter's Lounge. There had, he said, been a magnificent response from the public and among the GAA clubs of Carlow for the event.
Aidan mentioned a Nationalist article written by Kieran Murphy following the benefit night and the pride it had instilled in Des that so many of his friends and GAA people had attended.
It had, Aidan said, demonstrated a tremendous sense of community. In thanking Fr Little and the other clergy who took part in the obsequies, Aidan remarked that it was appropriate that his funeral Mass should be celebrated in the cathedral where he was baptised, received his First Holy Communion, Confirmation and where he married Ann.
The beautiful singing at Mass was by Bernard Hennessy, with his sister Clare Cashin playing the organ. After Mass, Des was brought to his final resting place in St Mary's Cemetery, the hearse being flanked by a guard of honour from O'Hanrahan's GFC, who had also formed an honour guard at the removal of his remains. Fr Little recited the final prayers at the graveside.
Many of the GAA clubs of Co. Carlow were represented at the obsequies, while the O'Hanrahan's, Carlow and national flags flew at half-mast at The Blues grounds as a mark of respect to their fallen secretary and dedicated clubman.
The McKeown family wishes to thank Paul Dunne, Des's brother-in-law, for the outstanding help he gave in bringing them to and from Waterford Regional Hospital on a daily basis.
Des is deeply mourned by his wife Ann, daughter Cliodhna and son Cillian, brothers Aidan (Kildare) and Brendan [Dublin), mother-in-law, father-in-law, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews,
nieces, relatives, former Nationalist and current Sunday Business Post work colleagues, his O'Hanrahan's GFC club colleagues and his many friends.
May Des rest in peace.
Courtesy of The Nationalist. Tweet
