Community mourn passing of Athlone's Mary Gaynor in her 92nd year

By Rebekah O'Reilly

The community of Athlone and Sonas Nursing Home are mourning the loss of Mary (Nan) Gaynor (née Derwin), who passed away peacefully in her 92nd year, held in the love of her family and the gentle care of the staff and friends at Sonas Nursing Home.

Born on June 26, 1934, in Gallows Hill, Athlone, Mary was the third eldest of Christina and Edward Derwin’s ten children. Her early years were spent in Baylough, where she grew up in a bustling household near her grandmother’s home.

Mary attended the old St. Peter’s school, and spent childhood during the wartime years, with ration books, bare feet, and long days playing in the fields and bog lanes of Athlone. Like many of her generation, she worked in the Gentex textiles factory.

It was in Athlone town that she met her husband, the late Jack Gaynor, with whom she shared a deep love of music and dancing, and in later years were well known on Athlone’s social dance scene, enjoying the quicksteps and waltzes of the “Ballroom of Romance” era. Mary and Jack married and raised five children—Maureen, Frank, John, Paul, and Catherine.

She will be remembered as a woman of warmth, humour, and generosity, with an infectious love of storytelling and community.

Mary is predeceased by her beloved husband Jack, her parents, and her brothers. She will be sadly missed by her loving children Maureen, Frank, John, Paul, James and Catherine, her sister Chrissie, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, neighbours, and a wide circle of friends.

Special appreciation is extended to Marie, her friends in the Irish Wheelchair Association, and the staff and management of Sonas Nursing Home for their kindness and support in recent years.

Reposing will take place at her son Paul’s residence, Creggane, Cornafulla (N37 FH68), on Friday from 4pm to 8pm. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at St. Peter & Paul’s Church, Athlone, on Saturday at 1pm, followed by burial in Kiltoom Cemetery.

Mary loved colour and joy in life, and her family invites all who attend her funeral to reflect this spirit.

May she rest in peace.