Tributes paid to St Enda’s stalwart

THE county town said a final goodbye to one of its most beloved daughters when on Saturday morning the coffin of Mary ‘Von’ Healy was carried out of the Sacred Heart Church.

The Omagh St Enda’s GAA stalwart passed away last Thursday at the age of 96, before being waked for several days at her Hunters Crescent home.

Though a woman of local renown in her own right, many people would have known Mrs Healy as wife of the late Michael Healy, after whom the home ground of Omagh St Enda’s and Tyrone GAA is named.

Born in Drumnaforbe, in the hills above Drumquin, Mrs Healy went on to live a life that spanned almost a century, becoming in that time the beloved wife of Michael, devoted mother of Sean (Dympna), Ann (Paddy), Yvonne (Micky), Crea (Kevin), sister of Margaret, Patsy, Frances, Carmel, Hugh, Nuala, Bernadette and Phyllis, as well as a cherished grandmother and great grandmother.

Her funeral was attended not only by many local gaels, but people from all walks of life.

At both the Sacred Heart Church and by her graveside in Greenhill Cemetery, a wide and varied mix of people expressed their sorrow at the passing of the ‘pretty, small and thin’ lady.

During the funeral service, Mrs Healy’s grandson Darragh laid a St Enda’s jersey at the altar, representing her lifelong love of local gaelic football and the community that surrounded it.

Two of her other grandchildren, Lucy and Anna brought forward a precious photo and a wordsearch book, representing Mrs Healy’s active mind and love of family.

In a moving poem composed and read by her granddaughter Emma Jane, a beautiful portrait of Mrs Healy’s life was painted for the congregation.

The opening verse began, “Nana Healy, a true gem, blessed this world for 96 years. She filled out lives with laughter, constant smiles, and very few tears.”

The ode went on to describe Mrs Healy’s attention to her appearance and the rhythms of her life, from her weekly trips to the hairdressers to her many boardings of the bingo bus.

In another couplet, Emma Jane captured the central part family played in her grandmother’s happiness.

“Having family all around her was the most precious thing in her life, and being a mum, granny, great-granny, and a dear, loving wife.”

Emma Jane used her time at the front of the church to thank the staff at Springlawn nursing home who took care of her grandmother when her health began to decline, before concluding with a few heartbreakingly beautiful words.

“We leave you now to sing with the angels up above, the hills above Drumquin, you are back to where you love.”