Mayo mourns passing of Mary Diamond - a gem who touched many lives

MAYO is mourning the death of 'an absolute gem' with the passing of Mary Diamond from Kiltimagh.

Mary won the hearts of the nation a few years ago when she appeared on popular RTÉ show Operation Transformation.

As a leader back in 2018, she was introduced as being 'an absolute gem'. If the pun was obvious the sentiment was spot on and the community got 100% behind a woman they held in great affection as she set out on her personal journey.

Mary ran a very successful Montessori in the town over many years and when you would ask young pre-schoolers what they were up to they would beam with pride to let you know 'I'm in Mary Diamond's'.

One online tribute summed her up: 'Mary was an absolute lady, a beautiful and amazing person who excelled in her vocation of teaching our young pre-schoolers in her Montessori school. She was a natural teacher who had great empathy with the children in her care.'

Mary touched so many young lives in such a positive way and her kindness, care and teaching will be long remembered and appreciated.

Of course, that kindness and caring was rooted in her home. Mary (née Caulfield) lived at Cordarragh in Kiltimagh where she was devoted to her family, husband Joe and sons Gary, Robbie and Paul, to whom deepest sympathy is extended on their great loss.

She is also survived by her parents Rita and James Caulfield, brother Michael, sister Ann-Marie, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, nieces and nephews Tadgh, Faith, Cormac and Jay Jay, neighbours and friends.

Mary will repose in O'Hora's Funeral Home, Kiltimagh, on Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. Following funeral Mass on Saturday at 12 p.m. in the Church of the Holy Family, Kiltimagh, she will be laid to rest in Kilkinure Cemetery.

She leaves behind a great legacy of love and care. May her most gentle of souls rest in peace.