McDonald, Collette
November 30, 2002
The Late Collette McDonald
The parishes of Portlaoise, Castletown and Camross were still trying to come to terms with the sudden and untimely death of Collette McDonald (nee Collier) whose parents were natives of Camross and later moved to Castletown where they ran the post office in Kilbricken for many years.
After years of failing health, Collette's father Podge, a former Laois Hurling Board secretary and an outstanding goal keeper in his day with his native Camross, died a few short years ago.
Collette's mother was Mary Cuddy, daughter of Lar and Bridget of Derrylahan, Camross. Collette was the third eldest of a family of six, four girls and two boys. She worked for some time in the Leinster Express office in Portlaoise then moved to England for a short time. She returned to Ireland and married Matthew McDonald of Portlaoise. Matthew was an outstanding underage footballer with Portlaoise and Laois. After their marriage they moved to live at Ballydavis having lived in Fieldbrook for a while.
In January 1999 Matthew was killed in a road accident as he drove to work at Mountjoy Prison.
Collette's brother Sean was a front seat passenger but escaped with minor injuries. Collette remained in Ballydavis and continued to foster a business which Matthew had started some years ago. She was well known in the community and held in high esteem.
Two weeks ago she invited her three sisters to join her on holiday in the Canaries. It was their first get together since the tragic death of her husband. What should have been a joyful family reunion turned to tragedy. Her mother had never
travelled outside of the country and had declined the invitation. Then twenty four hours before her return last Saturday week. Collette was taken ill in the swimming pool and rushed to hospital. Despite the best efforts of medics in a Spanish hospital efforts to save her life failed.
The news of her death at the age of 37 years stunned all who knew her. Her remains returned on Thursday last and she was buried alongside her late husband on Friday morning. The attendance on both occasions was huge, a tribute to the esteem she was held in as well as her family. Her retired uncle Canon Sean Collier was chief celebrant on both occasions and he paid a moving tribute on Friday morning.
Collette will be sadly missed in Ballydavis where she spent most of her time in recent years, a quiet but wonderful neighbour.
Her heartbroken sisters who were at her bedside throughout her illness are devastated but still felt strong enough to pay tribute to the wonderful people who helped them through those awful days as well as the medical staff who tired desperately to save the life of their sister. Martina, Lourda and Sinead accompanied her to her final resting place along with their grief stricken brothers Pat and Sean. Her mother Mary was over come with grief, having spoken to her just hours before she took ill and looking forward to their return to Ireland. Mary buried her mother Bridget in recent years, then her late husband Podge. Three years she was a pillar of strength to Collette when she buried her son-in-law Matthew. On Friday she suffered the greatest pain when she buried her third eldest daughter
As her remains made it's way down the Church the choir sang the Frank Sinatra's classic 'My Way'. Let's hope for Mary and family that they can find their way through this awful time. At the family's side was Collette's dear friend Fint who had flown out to be at her bedside as doctors tried to save her life. Also among the chief mourners were Matthew's family. May she rest in peace.
Courtesy of The Leinster Express
November 2002
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