Sadness at death of one of Athlone's eldest citizens

One of the Athlone area's eldest citizens, Anne Devine, passed away earlier this week at the age of 104.

Born Anne Henry, in Clonascra, Ballinahown, she died on Monday in the care of the staff of Stella Maris nursing home, where she had been living in recent years.

Her passing occurred just under six months before what would have been her 105th birthday.

Messages of condolence to the family this week paid tribute to Anne as a lovely, kind and gentle person.

Anne married Jack Devine in the 1930s and they lived in Taughmaconnell before moving in the 1960s to Athlone town. They settled in what was then known as Railway Cottages, on the Galway Road, but is now Riverside Place.

During celebrations at Stella Maris Nursing Home to mark her 101th birthday in 2018, her family explained that she had always worked hard throughout her life. She smoked at one stage and would enjoy "an occasional Baileys" but was "never a big drinker or smoker".

She enjoyed relatively good health and had a strong religious faith, attending 9.30am Mass in Ss. Peter and Paul's Church every morning up until she was in her mid-80s.

She was predeceased by her loving husband John (Jack), son in law Pat, her parents and brothers.

She is sadly missed by her son Séan (John), daughter Mary Cullen (Birmingham), daughter in law Teresa, grandchildren, Elaine, Denise, Louise, Jonathan, Damien, Adrian, their husbands wives, and partners, her great grandchildren Caoimhe, Alanna, Abbey, and Conor, nieces, nephews, and a wide circle of family and friends.

Anne's funeral Mass took place in Ss. Peter and Paul's Church this morning (Thursday) and was followed by burial in Drum cemetery.

May she rest in peace.