A wonderful mother and grandmother - RIP Josie

Josie Geoghegan (née Doyle) passed away in Midlands Regional Hospital Mullingar on the morning of October 16 surrounded by her loving family.

A native of Ballyowen, Bracklyn, Josie was one of eight children born to Ellen and Andrew Doyle. As a child, she and her family suffered the tragic loss of her father Andrew in an accident in January 1957. Josie was only four.

Ireland in the 1950s was a different place to the country we know today and the loss of their father at such a young age placed Josie’s family in a precarious position.

Although her UK based siblings, Jenny, Eileen, Patsy, Bridie and Andrew, supported their mother Ellen by sending home what they could, times were tough for Josie and her siblings, Christy, Anne and Andrew. Despite the challenges, they made a little do a lot, and that was a tenacious talent of Josie and all her family all through their lives.

Josie’s beloved mother Ellen passed away on February 26, 1970 when Josie was only 17. Josie, who was extremely fond of her mother, had to make the journey alone to Delvin [10km] by bicycle to book her mother’s funeral.

Although difficult and challenging, the period around Josie’s mother’s death became a defining chapter as it was then that she met the love of her life and future husband, Syl Geoghegan. Syl and Josie got married on June 7, 1971, in The Church of the Assumption in Delvin. The reception was at the Lake County Hotel in Mullingar.

Their honeymoon was a tour of Ireland and that was the beginning of a loving marriage that endured for more than five decades. Josie and Syl, who began their married life living in Delvin, were blessed with the arrival of four children, Sylvester, Helen, John and Enda. As they each followed their own paths in the world, Josie was always a solid sounding board and was proud of their achievements.

Sylvester has forged a career in construction and recruitment in the UK and Ireland, Helen plays a key role in running the family business, John is a professional involved in investment and business promotion, and Enda has taken control of Syl’s businesses and formed one of the largest companies of its kind in Ireland.

As life took its twists and turns, including a move to Mullingar in 1994, Josie was delighted to see Helen, John and Enda meet their life partners John, Jillian and Theresa respectively. Josie welcomed them into the family home in Tower View. A consummate host, she made copious cups of tea, always asking before their departure: “Ya will be calling up next week, won’t ya,” to make sure she kept an audience.

There was nothing that gave Josie as much pleasure as the arrival of her adored and cherished grandchildren, Saoirse, Eanna, Siofra and Oisin. With the arrival of these four fantastic children into the world and the home of Enda and Theresa, Josie got a whole new lease of life, and love. She loved her grandchildren and they love her dearly.

When the family made the move to Tower View, Josie became fast friends with neighbours, including Helen Mollaghan, Therese Murphy, Marie Hayes, Helen Greville, Sis Bardon, Chris Gallagher and Yvonne Moran, regular visitors for tea and chat.

Possessing a deep and abiding faith, Josie served as a Eucharistic Minister from 2001 to 2015 in St Paul’s Church and made many friends. St Paul’s is a place close to her heart and it was most appropriate that her funeral Mass was held there, as she would have wished.

The week before she passed, Josie attended a medical appointment and received results that needed further examination, but results that were, on the face of it, not good.

In typical Josie fashion, she remained stoic about her position. Hours before she was due to attend a follow-up appointment, Josie fell ill and passed away surrounded by the people who meant the most to her in this world, and in close contact with her son Sylvester, who was abroad at the time.

Although stunned and deeply saddened by her sudden passing, Josie’s loved ones take great consolation in the fact that over the course of her last days she visited and met with all her family in close proximity and called several friends, sometimes unannounced.

Josie also found the time on the Saturday evening before her death to attend the first anniversary of the passing of her brother-in-law Willie Gavin at the Cathedral in Mullingar.

As Josie unknowingly faced her final journey on the morning of Monday October 16, it is most fitting that it was only done after a weekend of giving and of expressing kindness and love.

As her predicament worsened early on Monday morning, it was through her faith in God that she embraced what unfolded. Fr Norman Allred was there to assist her on her final journey and to comfort all those present, for which they will be forever grateful.

As Josie departed this earth, she was comforted with and surrounded by the love of, and in close contact with, her family, her husband Syl, children Sylvester, Helen, John, and Enda along with her daughter-in-law Jillian, her sister Anne and Anne’s husband John Feery.

The large attendance at Josie’s removal on Wednesday October 18 and her funeral with Fr Phil Gaffney co-celebrated by Fr Norman Allred on Thursday October 19, was of huge support to the Geoghegan family at a difficult time. The family are eternally grateful to all who made the time to attend and express their condolences.

Predeceased by her parents (Ellen and Andrew Doyle), brothers Christy and Patsy, and sister Bridie (McEnroe); Josie will be dearly missed by her heartbroken husband Syl, children Sylvester, Helen, John and Enda, daughters-in-law Jillian (Shaw) and Theresa (Connell), Helen’s partner John Arthur, her wonderful and treasured grandchildren, Saoirse, Éanna, Síofra, Oisín, her brother Andrew Doyle (London), sisters Anne Feery (Tyrrellspass), Jennie Murphy (Ferns) and Eileen Fahy (Coventry), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and wide circle of friends and neighbours.