Athlone Musical Society pays tribute to late life member Sadie Flanagan

Athlone Musical Society has paid tribute to honorary life member Sadie Flanagan who passed away peacefully at Retreat Nursing Home on April 15.

Sadie was a much lauded member of the society, playing leading roles in productions on the Dean Crowe Theatre stage from 1964 to 1983 when she took her final curtain call.

The society said Sadie's "wonderful talent and dedication was a testament to the lady she was on and off the stage".

"She first hit the Athlone stage in 1954 playing the leading lady in 'The Mikado'. From that point, Sadie was involved in Athlone Musical Society for 20 years as the leading lady, until her final show in 1983 in 'My Fair Lady'."

The society extended heartfelt condolences to her family and friends, "especially current members, her son Donal and his wife, Camilla Flanagan".

In a previous interview with the Westmeath Independent, Sadie reflected on her time with Athlone Musical Society, the soprano calling time on her on stage career having played the "complex role" of Eliza Dolittle in 'My Fair Lady' in 1983, a role she had also played nine years previously "at the old Dean Crowe Hall".

Sadie met her future husband Des Flanagan in 1957 when he was appearing in 'Wild Violets' in Athlone Musical Society. The couple married in 1959 and had three sons, Aidan, Donal and Desmond, all of whom have been involved in Athlone Musical Society at some time.

Her father Gilly was the inspiration for Sadie to join Athlone Musical Society in 1964 and such was her talent as a soprano and actor she played the leading role 'Yum-Yum' in that year's production.

"Once I got into the musicals I just loved them, and somehow I ended up as leading lady in all the ones I did. There was no tiredness for me in the Athlone musicals, it was fabulous and there was great energy among the casts and crews and I always wanted to do more and more, it was just pure enjoyment," Sadie said at the time.

She acted in most of her musicals twice in her 20-year career, but her "favourite lead role was in 'The Merry Widow'", which the society staged in 1972.

"I loved them all, but 'The Merry Widow' was my favourite, and another memorable one was 'The Sound of Music' in 1980 (in which she played Maria)," she said.

Sadie is survived by her sons Aidan, Donal and Dessie, her daughters-in-law Majella (Daly), Camilla (Brennan) and Valerie (Downes), her cherished grandchildren Dáire, Laoise, Jordan and Tara, her brothers Tommy (England), Jimmy and Paddy Fox, sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, great neighbours and friends.

Following Requiem Mass in St Mary's Church Athlone, Sadie was laid to rest in Coosan Cemetery on Saturday afternoon. May she rest in peace.