Ramsbottom, Mary
January 01, 2001
The death of 36-year-old Mary Ramsbottom (nee Lawlor), Stradbally Road, Timahoe, after a very bravely borne illness, at her home on December 29, has left a massive void in the community. Her energy and enthusiasm for so many organisations and her tireless work right up to the last weeks of her illness, was an inspiration to all.
It was a dream realised when the Laois Ladies Football team which she managed won the All-Ireland title last September. She had a lifelong passion for ladies football and served as an official and with team management for many years. She served Laois Ladies Football Board as secretary and was involved in numerous team managements from juvenile right up to senior. She was the driving force behind her local club Timahoe which under her guidance, became a prominent force, winning Laois titles, reaching Leinster club finals and All-Ireland club tournament finals. Her initial big success was in 1994 when she guided Laois to its first minor title.
Mary had a very strong bond with the players and one of her great strengths was her faith in young talented footballers which was so evident in the county's first All-Ireland senior win.
Mary was the powerhouse in Stradbally Community Games. She was chairperson for the last eight years and up to recently was county PRO. She also served as secretary in the past and helped produce the book documenting the history of Community Games in the area.
She came from a family steeped in the GAA tradition. Her father Seamus Lalor was a popular Laois GAA referee. Her husband Willie Ramsbottom is a well known electrical contractor and son of former County Board chairman Sean Ramsbottom.
As parish secretary to Fr. Sean Kelly, she reached out to every committee and group in the community. She ran the Faith Friends programme for Confirmation classes every year since it started.
Driven by a love of people, she worked hard on the ground, motivating others, and taking to the streets to raise money. She helped collect thousands of pounds for Laois Cancer Support Group using any free time to organise and take part in fundraising events. Among the huge crowds at her removal was RTE newscaster Eileen Dunne, an active supporter of Laois Cancer Support Group.
Mary was involved in numerous local groups such as Timahoe Development Association. She was also Timahoe correspondent for The Leinster Express.
She is mourned by her husband Willie; parents Seamus and Una; sister Ruth; brother Seamus; father-in-law Sean; mother-in-law Brid; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; aunts; uncles; nieces; nephews; cousins and many friends.
Mary reposed at her home where she was attired in a Laois tracksuit and surrounded by Laois memorabilia. The cortege passed by Timahoe GAA field before making its way to the Church of the Sacred Heart, Stradbally. A lone piper played a lament and guards of honour were provided by Laois Ladies, Timahoe Ladies and other football clubs throughout the county as well as Laois Cancer Support Group.
Among the overflowing attendance was former GAA president Jack Boothman while Eileen Dunne of RTE read a prayer.
Large crowds also attended the Requiem Mass and burial in Oakvale cemetery on Monday afternoon New Year's Eve, at which there were also several guards of honour.
Mary will be remembered for her vibrancy, positive attitude in the face of serious illness, and her dedicated work for so many clubs and groups. Up to a fortnight before her death, she was still working on several projects and making sure that things were being done.
Her determination, can do mentality in the face of adversity, sheer hard work and selflessness made her irreplaceable. Ni bheidh a leithid ann aris.
Courtesy of the Leinster Express
January 2002
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