Beragh woman remembered for her ‘kindness and generosity’

WARM tributes have been paid to Pat O’Loughlin, president of the Beragh Conference of the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP), who has been remembered as someone who gave freely of her time to help others.

Pat, who lived at Kirk Crescent in Beragh, died on April 16 following an illness. Her funeral liturgy took place on Good Friday.

She joined the SVP eight years ago, became conference secretary in 2022, and was appointed president in 2024.

“Pat was a dedicated member of our Conference, someone who gave freely of her time to help others in need in our community,” said a spokesperson for the Beragh SVP.

“Her kindness and generosity to those less fortunate than herself was a testament to the person she was.

“During her time in SVP she made a difference to the lives of many families in our parish and will be remembered fondly by all she came in contact with.

“We feel privileged to have had Pat in our conference for the past eight years. She will be deeply missed by all her friends in SVP.”

During the funeral liturgy, parish priest of Beragh, Fr Sean McCartan, described Pat’s passing as ‘gracious and serene’.

“She had come to believe and understand what our human lives are all about. She understood that God needs our co-operation and our trust in his way, rather than in our own. That is, if we are ever to make the world a better place for ourselves and others,” he said.

“Pat had a great devotion to the St Vincent De Paul Society. She was so very committed in her efforts to give people who were in need a helping hand. She was especially mindful about misfortune befalling any of us and how easy that moment in time can come.

“The good that she did will never be known.”

Fr McCartan also spoke of how deeply Pat was affected when her grandson Joe was seriously injured in a quad bike collision.

“In all those weeks and months of fear and anxiety, Pat had all of us every day begging at heaven’s door and praying for him. She trusted Joe to the care of God and the intercession of St Padre Pio.

“She rang or called when there were moments of great worry, and when there was good news. It is great that all her prayers were answered. She kept faith that everything would come right – and how right she was.”

Pat previously worked at St Oliver Plunkett’s Primary School in Beragh as a dinner lady, and was remembered fondly by former pupils for her warmth and kindness.

Fr McCartan also recalled her talent for knitting and crochet, and her long friendship with Trish, with whom she enjoyed many nights out in Farley’s Bar.

“She loved to laugh and enjoy life,” he said. “We thank her for the great difference that she made here in this quiet corner of the world.”

Pat is survived by her daughters Edel (Sean) and Brenda (Stephen) and brother, Eamon and was pre-deceased by her siblings, Johnny, Joe, Mary, Kathleen, Teresa and Colette RIP.