The Meadow, Newry, Down / Greenore, Louth

 

Peacefully, in her 92nd year, in the dedicated care of the staff of Craigavon Area Hospital.

 

Born Babs McGarrity on 14th May 1932 in Greenore. She loved her childhood days growing up in Mullabane with Paddy Callan and Betty Duffy. Babs met the love of her life Des McAleavey in Greenore- he was from Belfast and a chef on the trains. A romance that lasted a lifetime….,,

 

They moved to Ellesmere Port in the UK to marry at a young age in 1952 and eventually have a son Ambrose in 1962.

She worked as a school cook for over 25 years at St Saviours Infant School in Ellesmere Port and was a central figure along with Des in the growth of the parish and building of a new church and club.

Des sadly died at age 53 in 1984, She moved to Newry in the late 90’s and became a Nana to Ciara in 1998 whom she adored. When Ambrose and family moved to Orlando in 2002, she came over for two months over Christmas every year for over 20 years, spending glorious Christmases with her family. Seeing Ciara grow up, she gained a large collection of new friends and became Nana Babs to all of Ciara’s friends who would still to this day hug her and shout out “Welcome home Nana Babs” when they would see her.

She loved her snooker and football on TV and would talk all day about it. Her knowledge of Cooley from the old days was second to none and she was always the encyclopedia at family gatherings of all things Cooley.

She is survived by her son Ambrose, daughter-in-law Denise, granddaughter Ciara, brother John, her wonderful nieces and nephews,many cousins from the Cooley area., neighbours and friends.

 

May She Rest in Peace

 

Reposing in the Serenity Room of Quinn’s Funeral Homes, Bridge Street, Dundalk (Eircode A91 KW52) BY APPOINTMENT and for public visitation from 4pm-8pm on Thursday, January 4th and from 3pm on Friday, January 5th Removal at 6pm to the Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, Boher, arriving at 7pm. Funeral Mass on Saturday, January 6th at 11am. Burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.

 

The Mass can be viewed live by following this link: https://www.churchservices.tv/boher

You are encouraged to leave a personal message and your memories of Babs HERE.

Enquiries to Quinn’s Funeral Homes on 042 9334521.