The death of Mrs. Mary Hyland (nee Shortall), The Heath Course , The Heath in the loving care of the staff of Og Hill Nursing Home on Monday , April 21st caused deep sadness and regret in the community , the adjoining areas and further afield . In her 90th year Mary was wife of the late Mathew Hyland who predeceased her 15 years ago . Hailing from a farming family she came to reside on the Heath in 1946. She had a long , happy and a successful life rearing her family working hard and contributing to a community life ,a woman on a stature she walked tall in so many ways . A loyal Christian woman she instilled in her family very high standards by which she always lived loyalty , truthfulness , honesty, integrity and above all to be loving caring, to be a good neighbour. This she did to the end.Her deep faith and prayer was a very important part of he r life .She showed by example . It is a great achievement to reach such an advanced age with the mental abilities she had .She witnessed so many changes during her long life, Mary fondly spoke about her growing up in Kilrory and of her sisters Bessie,Nan, brothers Mike and Tom, describing a way of life almost forgotten. She was the last surviving member of that family . In many ways she was part of an era that had much turmoil politically and economically. She spoke of the terrible trauma when Kevin O' Higgins was shot,and the upheaval of it all. A woman who was very widely read ,she could put an opinion forward with much debate be it word affairs, national affairs or local events. she had a great love of sports, be it GAA, soccer, rugby and was a big Roy Keane and Man United fan. Her interests were so many and varied, she contributed so much to her community during her long life. Events now long forgotten come to mind, she was a member of the NO. 1 area committee set up to fundraise for the roofing of St Paul's Church, Emo, she gave full support to her parish and to the Heath Church at all times. Another occasion she recalled was a presentation to Miss Molloy a teacher in Morette School (school demolished) on the occasion of her marriage to Mr. Joe O'Callaghan, former Principal in Emo School. The gift presented was a clock. She loved nature, blue bells on the Castle Hill, the smell of the furze on the Heath, her lovely flower garden and roses. Her interest in crafts was much alive even in recent times. A member of the first Heath I.C.A. committee she was into embroidery, rush work, knitting, sewing. From the time of her arrival on the Heath she had a deep involvement in community work, these times there were no official committees but she workded in the Old Heath hall, then in the GAA Community Centre. Mary's involvement in the Heath GAA club is without question. She washed the famous black and amber jerseys with much pride for twenty years. Her work for the kart racing, GAA whist, bring and buy sales, cake stalls just to mention a few, wasdoen always in the dignified and friendly way. The fact that her sons were part of the most successful era the club has had she treasured with great pride; this was as players and administration level. She was a member of the first GAA Community Centre committee. It was as a wife and mother that her loving qualitiesshone . Always there, sharing , taking interest in all going up to the last. Mary came through a world far different to now, but she moved on with the times but always holding on to her good Christian values. Very understanding of the youth, especially her grandchildern she always gave encouragement, was loved so much in return. The door on her home always open she had a welcome for all. She held great srore in her extended family near and far. They visited often, it was catching up time. Above all that lovely smile and warm welcome was a pleasure to behold. Mary's remains were removed from her home to St. Pauls Church ,Emo where they were recieved by Fr.T. DooleyP.P.and Fr. Paul FitzpatrickC.C.PORTLAOISE. Requiem Mass was celebrated at noon on Wednesday by Fr Tom O'Byrne p.p emo assisted by Fr J. Walsh Fr E. Drumm Fr L. Merrigan PP Fr J. Byrne PP Fr J Dunne. The readings were read and gifts presented by Mary's family and friends. The beautiful rendition of hymns was by the church choir. Interment took place in the adjoining church grounds after Mass. Mary is sadly and deeply mourned by her sons Jack Andy Matthew her daughter Ann daughters in law Nuala and Betty son in law Liam grandchildren Matthew Paul Noelle Bryan and Niamh, nephews nieces cousins and a large extended family and friends. Go raibh dheis De ar a anam. Tweet

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