Marie was a talented actress, loving wife and devoted mother

Heartfelt tributes were paid in Monamolin last Friday as local mother-of-two Marie Johnston was laid to rest. The talented award winning actress died in a three-vehicle car crash on her way to work last Tuesday morning near Oulart. The collision occurred 3km west of Oulart Village at the townland of Tinnock, on the Enniscorthy Road. Emergency services were called to the scene, and Gardaí closed the R744 road to allow a detailed examination of the area. Marie (48), who lived in Monamolin, was on her way to work at Kelly Colfer Son and Poyntz Solicitors in New Ross when her vehicle was involved in a collision with two other vehicles at around 8.30am. Marie was the beloved wife of Michael and devoted mother to Karen and Lisa. Her sudden and tragic loss has shaken the local area to its core. She was most associated with Drama in Kilmuckridge, though in previous years, she also preformed with Monamolin Drama Group. Marie served as Secretary and then Festival Director of the popular Kilmuckridge Drama Festival, and was also an active member of Kilmuckridge Drama Group. Her most recent performance with the group was earlier this year in 'There came a Gypsy Riding', a role for which she won several accolades, including Best Actress at the Kilmuckridge Drama Festival in March. She took part in several Kilmuckridge Drama Group productions and performed in four of the five shows that made it to the All Ireland Drama finals in recent years. She picked up numerous awards for her performances. The All-Ireland shows included 'Juno and the Paycock', 'The Plough and the Stars', 'The Field', and 'There came a Gypsy Riding', while she was also involved backstage with 'Canaries' which also reached the All Irelands finals. Marie also put a lot of work into the Festival Committee, contributing to the continued success of the annual event. Her friends involved in drama said this week that everyone is 'absolutely devastated' at her passing. 'She was a person of great energy and enthusiasm. No matter what she took on, she took it on with that energy and enthusiasm and she had an ability to bring people along with her', said a friend this week. She was also involved in local GAA circles with Buffer's Alley, Monamolin, and served as Secretary of the committee that organised the All-Ireland Sheep Shearing Championships in 2003. She was heavily involved in the club over the years, both in camogie and in the club in general. She was also involved in the local Comhaltas branch. She was a devoted mother and wife, a true family woman and also loved her work in New Ross. 'Marie was very social', said her friend. 'She loved the craic and she was great at getting to know people. Marie would be in a room with a group of people and she would get to know everyone in it. She was a great mixer and a good communicator. She's left a huge pair of shoes to fill and she will be very sadly missed'. Her Funeral Mass took place in Monamolin last Friday, and she was laid to rest in the local Church of Ireland graveyard afterwards. The Mass was said by Fr. James Murphy, assisted by Canon Bon Gray, Fr. Jim Butler, Fr. Seamus Larkin, Fr. Joe Kavanagh and Fr. Michael Byrne, while local curate Fr. Jim Doyle was unavoidably absent. Among the mementoes of her life brought to the altar were a script, a tracksuit top and a trophy. A Guard of Honour was held at the funeral home by members of Kilmuckridge Drama Group and other people involved in drama locally and further a field. In Monamolin, the Guard of Honour was provided by members of Buffer's Alley hurling, football and camogie clubs. During the ceremony, her heartbroken husband Michael spoke words of thanks to the local community for their support, while her friend Marie Butler read a beautiful poem she wrote in her memory. Music at the Mass was provided by Eist and friends and the Monamolin choir. Marie is survived by her husband Michael, daughters Karen and Lisa, brothers and sisters, and a wide circle of family and friends. Sympathies have been expressed to her devasted family and friends on their terrible loss.

(Text courtesy of Wexford People 04/07/12) Tweet

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