Mayo community in mourning over death of popular woman in medical incident
The funeral arrangements have been announced of Kathleen Devine (née Doherty), Tonybane, Knockmore, and late of Circular Road, Ballina.
She passed away unexpectedly on Monday in a medical incident.
It is reported she died after a suspected allergic reaction to a bee sting at a farm near Ballycastle.
Ms. Devine was wearing a protective suit while harvesting honey, but one or two bees are believed to have got inside her suit and stung her.
Her passing has cast a shadow of sadness and loss over the north Mayo community.
She is deeply regretted by her heartbroken husband Des, sons Desmond and Brian, daughter Helen, brothers Gerry, Michael and Peter, sisters Ann, Una and Bernie, daughter-in-law Alina, son-in-law Neil, grandchildren Alana, Fionn, Kilian and Liam, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends, to whom deepest sympathy is tendered.
She was predeceased by her parents Micky Joe and Winnie Doherty and her sister Betty Brennan (Shannon)
Paying tribute to the deceased, Jude Walsh, Ballina Beekeepers, said: “She was a lovely woman and they are a lovely family. Everyone is so sad and upset.
“Kathleen and Des would be well known and do very well at honey shows across the country.
“My understanding is Des and Kathleen were helping someone else manage their hive, which would be very typical of them.
“People came and were trying to help, but they were getting stung. They were trying to get a defibrillator. Everyone did their absolute best. It’s terrible sad.
“She was a lovely woman and they are so well regarded as a family.”
Crossmolina Councillor Michael Loftus said the incident was 'an absolute tragedy'.
“It is so hard to understand. Even in their darkest hour, the people in the community did their absolute best to help.
She was a lovely woman who looked after people all her life,” he added.
Her remains will be reposing at her residence at Tonybane, Knockmore, on Thursday from 2 until 8 p.m.
Funeral will arrive to the Church of Christ the King, Knockmore. on Friday for Requiem Mass at 12noon followed by burial in Ballinahaglish Cemetery, Knockmore.
May her gentle soul rest in peace.