Obituary: Mary was a religious woman for whom family meant everything

ON SATURDAY 12 April, family members, neighbours and friends of the late Mary Doogue, Green Road, Carlow gathered at the Cathedral of the Assumption for Mary’s Month’s Mind Mass. It was an opportunity to fondly remember a greatly-loved wife, mother, grandmother, neighbour and friend.

Born on 5 December 1938, Mary died peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, at her daughter Fiona’s home in Barrowville, Kilkenny Road on Thursday 13 March. She had been in failing health since Christmas and her condition deteriorated seriously in recent months. In her final months, Mary was nursed by daughter Fiona.

The former Mary Harvey was born at Pollerton Road, Carlow – the Harveys are a well-known and highly respected Carlow family. She was daughter of the late Mick and Marie (née Dowling) Harvey.

Educated at primary and secondary levels by the Presentation Sisters at their convent school on Tullow Street, after her school days Mary served her time as a confectioner with Miss Walsh at her Tullow Street bakery and shop.

Later, Mary went to work at the fibreglass (plastics) section of Thomas Thompson & Sons, steel manufacturers, at Hanover.

It was Mary’s ambition to become a nurse, but when a nursing training opportunity in England did not come to fruition, she decided to remain at home in Carlow During that period in her life, she met her husband-to-be Martin Doogue from Old Dublin Road, Carlow, who was employed by Thompson’s. They met at a dance in the local Ritz Ballroom, where many a romance blossomed, and the couple married on 19 February 1962 in Carlow cathedral, an occasion marked by a papal blessing from Pope John XXIII.

Martin, well known in later years as a popular postman in the Carlow area, was a member of the well-known sporting Doogue family from Old Dublin Road – his brother Ned, over a long football career, was an outstanding full-forward with O’Hanrahan’s and the Carlow senior county team.

Another brother, Maurice, was a noted wing-back with The Blues during the 1950s and early 1960s.

Martin died in July 2016, aged 80, following an illness.

Mary Doogue, an industrious woman all her life, was a childminder at one stage and was also employed in the canteen at IT Carlow for a number of years before her retirement from the workforce. In retirement, Mary brought her expert culinary skills to bear, gracing the Doogue table with her trademark apple and rhubarb tarts, mince pies and eclairs – all treats to die for!

For hobbies she enjoyed knitting and reading – Mills & Boon romantic novels were her favourites – while walking was another hobby. Mary would go walking with Green Road neighbours the late Ann Darcy and the late Clare Spillane.

A deeply religious woman with a special devotion to Our Lady, Mary attended weekly Mass at the Cathedral of the Assumption throughout her life; she sometimes attended Mass at the Capuchin Church on Dublin Street and at IT Carlow.

It was not unusual for family members to find Mary at prayer at her home in Green Road.

Her religious convictions included pilgrimages to Lough Derg in Co Donegal, where she undertook St Patrick’s Pilgrimage.

Through her family association with the Doogues, Mary formed an unbreakable bond with two of husband Martin’s sisters, Breda Hayden, Springfield Drive, Rathnapish and the late Kathleen Doyle, Granby Row. Mary, Breda and Kathleen enjoyed nothing more than to head to the Seven Oaks Hotel for a nitebite. And further afield they would travel on outings, with Seafield outside Courtown, Co Wexford a favourite destination.

Family meant everything to Mary and she was very proud of her late husband, their four children, six grandchildren and extended family.

She is the third member of the Harvey family to pass away. Her brother Vincent (Vinny), the well-known former Éire Óg and Carlow county footballer, predeceased her in recent years, followed by the death of her sister Patsy Comerford, Sleaty, Graiguecullen.

Mary was waked at home in Green Road on Saturday afternoon, 15 March, when prayers were led by Fr Tom O’Byrne, Adm, Carlow. Her remains were removed that afternoon to the Cathedral of the Assumption.

The huge numbers who called to Green Road during the obsequies and the full cathedral congregation at her funeral Mass spoke to the popularity enjoyed by Mary Doogue.

The Mass was celebrated on Sunday afternoon by Fr John Dunphy, PP, Graiguecullen-Killeshin, a family friend.

Significant symbols of Mary’s life were brought to the altar at the start of Mass.

Marie Gallagher, a Green Road neighbour, presented Mary’s wedding album, reflective of her love of family; Barbara Nolan, a friend of Mary’s, brought forward her rosary beads, symbolic of her deep religious convictions; granddaughter Mia presented a family photo of the Harvey family, another example of Mary’s devotion to family life; while her grandson Oscar brought forward a DVD featuring his grandmother’s favourite film The Sound of Music.

Readings at Mass were by son-in-law Kevin Lynch and Enda Corcoran, Fiona Doogue’s partner.

Prayers of the Faithful were recited by granddaughter Mia, nieces Jessica, Kathy, Olivia and Claudette and nephew Daniel.

In a eulogy during Mass, John Doogue (son), having expressed the deep sense of loss being felt in the Doogue and Harvey families, said Mary was never one to complain, taking every day in her stride.

He reflected on his mother dealing with husband Martin’s illness, commenting: “At times it looked like she was also dealing with the pain Dad was enduring. While dealing with his pain, she remained steadfast in carrying out the daily chores of housekeeping, cooking and baking.” John referenced occasions as a boy when he was dispatched to 3 Pollerton Road (the Harvey household), when his grandfather Mick would select the choicest rhubarb sticks for his daughter Mary. He (John) would receive a couple of pennies from his Granny Marie, the matriarch of the Harvey family.

Having spoken of Mary’s deep religious beliefs, John concluded by saying it had been her only wish that they would all be reunited with their loved ones in Heaven, adding: “You will be forever in our hearts, Mammy.” The wonderful singing of hymns at Mass was by Suzanne Byrne, accompanied by organist Claire Cashin.

Following Mass, Mary was laid to rest in St Mary’s Cemetery with husband Martin, with Fr John Dunphy reciting the final prayers at the graveside.

Mary is mourned by her children, son John (Boston, Massachusetts), daughters Sineád Keegan (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), Maeve Lynch (Johnduffswood, Old Leighlin, Carlow), Fiona Doogue (Barrowville, Kilkenny Road, Carlow), brother Michael (Perth, Western Australia), sisters Pauline Murphy (Sligo), Veronica O’Boyle (Ballycarney, Carlow), Dolores Canning (Spindlewood, Graiguecullen), Phyl Moran (Carrigaline, Co Cork) and Claire Carbery (Bullock Park, Carlow).

She is also survived by her sons-in-law Liam, Kevin and Enda, daughter-in-law Amii, her greatly-loved grandchildren Bláithin, Polly, Ava, Colm, Mia-Poppy and Oscar, by brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, kind neighbour and her devoted circle of friends.

May Mary rest in eternal peace.