The late Anne Mernagh In a massive outpouring of public sympathy thousands of mourners paid their final respects last weekend to former Thurles Town Councillor, Anne Mernagh whose death caused profound sadness in County Tipperary, and much further afield. Countless deserved tributes have been paid this week to the hugely popular Anne who served as a Fianna Fail member of Thurles Town Council, and a member of North Tipperary Vocational Educational Committee from 1999 to 2004. News of Anne Mernagh's passing on Wednesday night of last week, after an illness courageously borne, was not entirely unexpected. Yet, the awful finality that the much revered personality had departed this life was a stunning blow to her family, and her legion of friends in the community. The embodiment of charm, courtesy and kindness, Anne enriched the lives of thousands of people in so many ways, and they are now struggling to come to terms with her loss. Anne Mernagh, who hailed from the highly popular Hayes family of Glebe, Cross, Drombane, was a hard-working and conscientious public representative during her term as a member of Thurles Town Council, and was deeply immersed in the local political scene for most of her life. A woman of many qualities, Anne was highly renowned for her generosity to the underprivileged and most in need, and she helped so many people from all walks of life. When she realised a lifelong ambition to serve as a public representative, she brought to the task energy, zeal, and enthusiasm, and was a dedicated public servant, popular and highly respected across the political divide. Described fittingly by Fr Martin Hayes, CC, Thurles, in his homily at her funeral Mass in Catherdral of the Assumption, on Saturday last, as having "crammed so much" into her forty six years of life, Anne epitomised all that was best and noble in the Irish character. With an endearing personality, she exuded warmth that made her a close friend to many, and was a fervent supporter of community activities over a wide area. A lover of sports, Anne was passionate fan of Tipperary and Thurles Sarsfields. How she marvelled at the club's county breakthrough last year, and took immense pride in the display of her son Garry at full-back, and in watching her great friend Ger 'Redser' O'Grady captain the team to glory. Club administrators and players past tribute to Anne during the funeral ceremonies on both days. The Fianna Fail party also paid a special tribute to deceased, and extended a vote of sympathy to her family. Anne Mernagh lived her life to the full. She always accentuated the positive, and displayed what everybody recognised was a truly remarkable courage and resilience during her illness in the last two years. Determined to fight her illness with extraordinary defiance, she demonstrated her outstanding quality of caring for others when she initiated a fund in aid of cancer research at the MAter Private Hospital, Dublin. As a patient of the hospital she was extremely appreciative of the work of Professor Des Carney, and Dr Michael Maher, and was thrilled that a fundraising committee chaired by Deputy Michael Lowry raised a colossal 40,000 euro in the space of five weeks. Her gesture, as Michael Lowry recalled "was typical of her food nature where others were concerned." Proof of her popularity all over County Tipperary and further afield, was witnessed in the massive concourse of sympathisers at the funeral ceremonies. Shortly after the news of her passing broke hearts sunk in sadness, and mourners started to converge on the family home at Cluain Glas, Thurles to pay their respects. In well over a four and a half hour period, hundreds filed past the remains of the deceased reposing at Eagans Funeral Home, in the town on Friday evening, and the Cathedral was almost packed to capacity for the removal of the remains. The Cathedral overflowed for the con-celebrated Mass, presided over by Archbishop Dermot Clifford, on Saturday morning, and a large and representative attendance, including leading figures from the world of politics and sport, paid their final respects to the late Anne. When her remains arrived for internment at Kilvalure cemetery, a short distance from the Hayes family home, her cousin, well known piper John Moloughney led the cortege with an appropriate tribute. Beautiful musical tributes in memory of Anne were paid at the funeral ceremonies on both days by Sean Boland and his son Paul, and John Healy. Anne loved music and song, and like nothing better than singing the well known song dedicated to legendary hurler Jimmy Doyle. In the course of an emotional graveside tribute laced with humourous and fitting tales relating to Anne, Deputy Michael Lowry, a lifelong friend to her and her family, said she "had a heart of gold" and a marvellous capacity for "reach out to everybody in the community." Reminiscing about Anne's childhood days in the area, and her life up to the time of her sad demise, Michael said she was "a colourful extremely likable character, and her death leaves a huge void in the community." He added - as we lay anne to rest beside her parents Margaret and Tommy, we know she is about to enjoy her heavenly kingdom. She will share it with her lifelong friend the great Harry Ryan whose passing just a week ago we deeply mourn. Anne Mernagh, affectionately and appropriately dubbed "a legend" by her brother Tomas in words of family appreciation at the funeral Mass, leaves a legacy of wonderful memories to countless people. She will be sadly missed by her family, Gerry, daughters Sarah and Elaine, son Garry, brothers Tomas, Paddy, Martin, John, sisters Marian, Josephine, Margaret Mary, grandchildren Carrie and Taylor, partner Sean, mother-in-law, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grand-nieces, relatives, and friends, to whom we tender heart felt sympathy. By John Guiton Courtesy of the Tipperary Star 28 January 2006 Tweet

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