McCreesh, Eileen
August 07, 2013Formerly Eileen Gunn from Drumgallon, Newtownbutler, she was a daughter of John James and Ellen Gunn, born on 21st October 1942. She was one of nine children, Maura (recently deceased), Gerry, Paddy, Sean, Anne, Rita, Dympna and Brendan.
Eileen attended Ballagh Primary School and the Louis Convent School, Clones. She then trained to be a hairdresser with her Aunt Peg in Sligo, and worked in Belfast for a few years before starting her own business in Newtownbutler.
She then met her husband-to-be, Michael McCreesh from Crossmaglen. They married in 1966. They started a family and settled in Lisnaskea and had seven children, Brian, Zita, Colm, Brendan, Elaine, Mark and Michelle.
Eileen ran a successful hairdressing salon in Main Street, Lisnaskea for over 30 years. She was well known within the Lisnaskea community and, indeed, further afield.
Her boundless energy and outgoing nature were some other well-known traits. Michael passed away in 1986 when Eileen was 43, with seven children to rear. However, her ability to cope with such a loss was often admired and commented upon.
Shortly after this, she became involved in the Lisnaskea Emmetts GAC Committee, her fundraising abilities being one of her many contributions to the Club.
In 1995, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and it was felt that her positive attitude was a major contributing factor in her recovery. Indeed she would have often dealt with her illness in a light hearted manner.
From 2001 she began to reduce her commitments to the hairdressing salon in the knowledge that it was being well managed by her daughter, Elaine.
Eileen always liked to look her best, often frequenting the local ladies boutiques. She enjoyed travelling throughout Ireland and taking holidays abroad.
In later life, she remained extremely active, taking up golf and becoming a member of Clones Golf Club. She was always a keen walker and, through her close friend, the late John Monaghan, she became a member of Fermanagh Ramblers.
Eileen also enjoyed music and dancing, and she also played bridge with her circle of friends in Lisnaskea.
Her faith was very important to her and regularly attended Mass at Lisnaskea Holy Cross Church where she was a Eueharistic Minister.
Eileen was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2009 but, despite this, remained very positive and determined to live life to the full. Sadly, her health gradually deteriorated over the past 18 months, but she bore her illness with great dignity and never looked for sympathy for her condition. Her priority remained her family and grandchildren of whom she was extremely proud.
Her funeral Mass, celebrated by Fr lan Fee, CC, took place in Holy Cross Church, Lisnaskea on 17th July It was widely attended, reflecting the high regard felt for Eileen and her family. She was laid to rest alongside her husband, Michael in the adjoining graveyard.
Eileen will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by everyone who knew her.
Courtesy of The Fermanagh Herald Tweet
