Obituary: Colette was a talented musician who toured the country during the showband era
The late Colette Maher
COLETTE MAHER was born in Milford Station, Carlow and was raised there with her beloved sister Ange. She went to school in St Leo’s College, Carlow, where she developed a great love of the piano and music, under the tutelage of the sisters.
Her sister Angela would go on to follow the love of her life Patrick Amond to America, while Colette’s love of music led her to join the showband scene. She joined the PJ Tierney Orchestra in Carlow, which played support to bands such as The Clipper Carlton, Brendan Boyer and many more. Colette would go on to play locally with many musicians in clubs and pubs.
Colette loved all music, and had a particular affection for the Bunclody choir. For many years she was musical director of both Bunclody Pantomime Society and Tops of the Town in Rathnure, Kiltealy. Colette gave music lessons at home and at national schools in Bunclody, Kilmyshall and Clohamon. She also enjoyed great success with the Scór ballad groups in Kildavin, winning many county and Leinster titles.
Two of Colette’s favourite musical memories included conducting the cast, chorus and orchestra’s rendition of in , Bunclody’s pantomime in 1982. Colette would also speak very fondly of Kildavin ballad group’s rendition of in a Scór competition during the 1980s.
She had a great love of Kilmyshall church and its people and was organist there for many years. Colette was no diva, but had two requests any time she went to lead the choir: no lilies and heat the church. One night, Fr Stafford said to her that there was no heat in the church but asked her to play the organ, saying: “There is no show like a Co show”, and Colette replied if there were lilies or no heat “cold show, no Co”.
Frank Sinatra was her favourite singer and Colette also loved The Beatles as well as gardening, art, painting and trips to Lourdes. She was a very spiritual person with great devotion to Our Lady, St Martin and St Pio.
Colette also loved the Bunclody Show, staying in Morriscastle at summertime and supporting her beloved Carlow in GAA.
Her greatest love of all was her true love and husband Jack – always together and never apart.
Jack first laid eyes on Colette when she was playing with PJ Tierney’s Orchestra in The Ritz in Carlow. Jack begged his best friend Ger Howard to go and see the orchestra again six months later, to see the piano player, but Jack got a fright when Ger looked up at the stage and said: “I don’t know why you are bringing me here – the piano player is old enough to be my granny.”
As it turned out, Colette was attending her sister’s 21st birthday party in Milford that night and was not playing the piano. Six months later, Jack finally tracked Colette down in the town hall in Newbridge and never looked back. He knew that Colette had a heart of gold and she went on to be an amazing wife and soulmate for 65 years, a great mother to four children, an amazing mother-in-law to Deirdre and an adoring grandmother.
In the 1970s in Wexford Park, Jack and Colette went to watch Wexford play Carlow with their great friend Anne Murphy. For some reason, Jack decided to shout for Wexford. He said that in hindsight he had made better decisions, and she never let him forget it.
For many years, Colette would bring it up in jest. But Colette would finally have her day in the sun when, in the Leinster championship in the noughties, Carlow beat Kildare. The following lunchtime at home, Jack was greeted by Carlow flags and a newspaper headline plastered on the door, which read ‘Defiant Carlow shock Lillies’.
Jack asked Colette: “Are you still raging I shouted for Wexford back then?” and Colette replied: “Some things you will never forget.”
Well, Mam, we will never forget your kindness, sense of humour and your great love for Jack and us. A wonderful wife, mother, friend and person and may you lead the Heavenly hosts and choirs in joyful song at your arrival.
Thanks for everything, Mam, and we will always love you. Thank you for one thing, and that is everything. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.
