Mary Regan, who had died aged 89, had lived in Carlow for several years but was a native of West Cork. Her husband Fred has passed away more than a year ago and she had no next-of-kin, and few visitors at the Hillview Nursing Home where she had been living.
Rory Healy, the Funeral Director, posted a message on Death Notices Carlow about Ms Regan’s funeral which immediately attracted a lot of attention.
“Tomorrow (Tuesday) in Askea Church at 9.30am there will be a funeral Mass for Mary Regan who died in wonderful care of Hillview Nursing home last Friday,” he wrote.
“Unfortunately, since the passing of Mary’s partner just over a year ago she has had no next of kin and also didn’t have many visitors to her in the nursing home, only the great care and attention shown by the staff of Hillview.”
“Mary lived in Carlow happily for a number of years and will tomorrow return to her native West Cork to be laid to rest with the members of her family that have gone before her. If you can spare 45 mins tomorrow (Tuesday) to attend Mass it would be great to see that a lady who lived to be nearly 90 years will get a farewell from her adopted town of Carlow by the people of Carlow.
Let’s not send Mary off from Carlow alone,” he wrote.
It received an enormous response.
“Hundreds attend funeral of woman in Carlow after appeal by undertaker,” RTÉ reported, as over 300 people flocked to Askea Church in Carlow to attend. It was a moment “which captured a huge sense of humanity and community”, Rory Healy said.
“Mary had a really lovely send off this morning. The priest commented that there was more people in the church than the average funeral which shows how many people this message reached. What a lovely gesture from the undertaker. RIP Mary,” one woman who attended said on Facebook.
“A true example of the kindness of the Healy family through the generations. RIP Mary,” said another.
And her style and grace were remembered: “I had the pleasure of doing your hair before you went to Hillview, Mary. You were a proper lady and always so glamorous. You had a very interesting career in the fashion world too which you loved. Rest in peace beautiful lady. You are with your Fred now in Heaven.”
“Thankfully and amazingly, over 300 people turned out to say goodbye to Mary,” Mr Healy told RTÉ.
“When I walked into the church this morning to see what people were there, I got a huge sense of humanity and community and that everyone was actually happy to be there, seeing that there was this big crowd for Mary.”
“Even though it was a solemn occasion at the sad passing of Mary, it was a good day for Carlow, and indeed for Mary, that she wasn’t being sent back to Cork alone.”
“The hall kept filling up, I was bowled over by the response,” he said. “A class from the local primary school was also in attendance, offering gifts at Mass.”
Mary Regan is predeceased by her siblings Paddy, Con, Patricia and Jerry and her partner Fred Lang. She will be laid to rest tomorrow in west Cork alongside her siblings.