Life of 'extraordinary' Mayo woman celebrated at her Requiem Mass

Luminaries from the music world joined broken-hearted family, neighbours and friends at the funeral this afternoon in Kiltimagh of Maureen Walsh, mother of pop impresario Louis Walsh.

Michael English, the 94 year old’s favourite country music singer, sang a selection of hymns at her funeral Mass in the Church of the Holy Family, close to the neat home where she reared eight children.

The attendance in the packed church included members of the now disbanded Westlife group – Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Nicky Byrne as well as Dana, former Eurovision singer and Member of the European Parliament.

In a eulogy at the close of the concelebrated funeral Mass, one of Maureen’s daughters, Sara (Keogh) described her as “extraordinary”.

She stated: “We celebrate all the 94 years of the extraordinary woman Maureen was and the incredible mark she left on all of us.

“We had a great upbringing. We wanted for nothing. She pushed us to make the best of ourselves - she didn’t do a bad job, I think.

Sara spoke of the lifelong hospitality shown by her mother to all comers, at all hours, her ability as a cook and homemaker.

She recalled her mother going to work for Western Care Association, which provides services to people with intellectual disabilities and neurodiverse needs, in the 1970s.

“This gave her a new lease of life. She loved every minute of it. This was where she made some of her best friends in life”.

Her son Frank, told mourners, Maureen was at the heart of her family’s lives.

“We all loved her, respected her. She was a woman of great strength, loyalty and grace.

“Her life was not one of enormous gestures but countless small actions of goodness, kindness and love.

“She was hardworking, had great faith and found joy in the simple things.

Mourners were told that GAA matches, playing cards (25 and Bridge), as well as country music, set dancing, fancy dress were amongst the loves of Maureen’s long and varied life.

Fr. Michael Quinn, chief celebrant of the Requiem Mass, spoke of the immense loss to Maureen’s family, her eight children, 20 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

He went on to describe her as a person of great faith with particular devotion to Padre Pio.

Symbols carried to the altar included Maureen’s Rosary beads, a picture of Padre Pio, a Mayo flag, a transistor radio noting the endless satisfaction she got from listening to local Midwest Radio, a rolling pin (love of baking), a family photo, a pack of cards and a copy of her favourite reading material, Ireland’s Own magazine.

Following Requiem Mass the funeral cortége wended its way to nearby Kilkinure Cemetery for the burial service.