Mayo pays fond tributes to 'true beacon of goodwill' Ann Garavan
Fond tributes are being paid to Ann Garavan (née Mahony), Pontoon Road, Castlebar, and formerly of Glasnevin, Dublin.
She died peacefully yesterday in the wonderful care of the Mayo Hospice.
One of the county town's best loved and most respected personalities, the news has cast a shadow of deep loss over the community.
Everybody knew Ann Garavan, such was her endearing and unique charm.
She was a lifelong member of Castlebar Tennis Club, where she was the leading women's play for many years and won numerous provincial and national titles.
In fact - and as she explained during an interview with The Connaught Telegraph in 2018 - it was the sport she loved that brought her to Castlebar for the first time in 1961, met her future husband, the then club president John Garavan, and the rest, as they say, is history.
In typically witty fashion, she recalled in that interview: “When I look back we (my friend Jill and I) must have been mad. We arrived in at midnight to eat ham sandwiches in the Imperial Hotel.
"If John Garavan had seen me that day he would have run miles! We were like something from outer space, the two of us all decked out in raincoats and galoshes.”
As matters turned out over the coming decades, Ann came to love Castlebar deeply as much as Castlebar loved her.
Not only was she prominent on the local tennis scene for over five decades, invariably arriving for matches on her bicycle, but she also made a name for herself treading the boards of the Town Hall and other such venues as an accomplished stage performer.
As a member of the former Castle Players, she played the leading role in many productions, including the first ever play broadcast on local radio by MidWest Radio.
She loved her writing too, her Christmas poems begin published annually by this newspaper in its festive season publications.
Ann also found joy in gardening, her beautifully-maintained lawns, trees, flowers and shrubs always catching the eye of passers-by.
And, of course, she always made an extra special effort during the time of the Castlebar International Four Days Walks with colourful arrangements in her garden to specially welcome the hundreds of foreign participants - and it was a feature they immensely appreciated and to which they looked forward year on year.
Yes, Ann Garavan was exceptional in so many ways without ever trying to be.
Most of all, however, she was a devoted mother and wife who dedicated so much of her life to her family.
And to Castlebar people in general, she was the lovely woman they met every day walking or cycling on her way to do her shopping - always with a friendly word and a bright smile.
The old town will miss her immeasurably.
Warm tributes are being paid to her on social media.
One stated: "Ann had a hugely positive influence , not just on you all, but on the fabric of Castlebar over many years.
"Her contributions will be remembered for many years, especially on Castlebar Tennis club. It was always a pleasure to meet Ann , on her trusty bike down town and have a chat with her and with everybody she knew."
Another said: "Ann was a breath of fresh air, her form was just unreal. Forever in fantastic spirits."
A further tribute observed: "A true beacon of goodwill, friendliness and ever cheerful."
She is deeply regretted by her loving family: sons Mark (Westport) and his wife Pauline, Eoin (Breaffy) and his wife Theresa, Hugh (Vermont, USA) and his wife Michelle, daughter Jeananne Rogers (Islandeady) and her husband Eddie, grandchildren Eve, Stephen, Sarah, James, Grace, Sophia and Niamh, sister-in-law Toni Garavan, nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Heartfelt sympathy is extended to the bereaved family on their loss.
Ann was predeceased by her loving husband John, daughters Ruth, Paula and Mary-Olivia, parents Gerard and Maureen, brothers Ger and Donald and her twin sister Joan.
Ann will repose at Coady's Funeral Home, Castlebar, on Wednesday from 5.30 p.m. with removal at 7 p.m. to the Church of the Holy Rosary, Castlebar.
Requiem Mass takes place on Thursday at 11 a.m. with interment afterwards in the Old Cemetery.
May her gentle soul rest in peace.