There was deep shock and sadness in the Claregalway and Lackagh areas at the passing of two neighbours who lived just a short distance from each other.
The passing of Bernie Hession after a short illness was greeted with deep sadness. Bernie was popular in the village of Gortadubha where her quiet unassuming personality was much loved. A member of the well known and popular O’Dea family of Kiltrogue, Bernie’s passing has created a huge void in both the O’Dea and Hession families, a few short years after her mother and mother-in-law had passed away.
Bernie was a wonderful family person and her family celebrated her sixtieth birthday some weeks ago, knowing that her time was short. Bernie left us just days before her actual birthday.
Following a private family Mass in the Church of the Assumption and St. James, Claregalway, Bernie was laid to rest in Claregalway cemetery. She is survived by her husband Padraic, sons Tony and Richard, daughter Selina, daughter-in-law Mary, Richard and Selina’s partners Louise and Barry, sisters Mary, Freda, and Teresa, brothers Dermot, Richard, Gerard, Michael John and Martin, in-laws, uncle, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.
The day after Bernie Hessin was laid to rest the community was put into a stunned silence as news spread of the unexpected passing of popular teacher Enda Flaherty who lived just a short distance away.
Enda was much loved and was deeply involved in Carnmore hurling and camogie clubs and Claregalway football club. Enda was an outstanding defender in his hurlingdays and played for Carnmore in successive county finals in the 90s which regrettably ended in defeat against a great Sarsfields team at the time.
Enda went on to become a popular coach of underage teams and was very involved in both hurling and Camogie in Carnmore and in football in Claregalway.
Enda’s children have all been involved in sport and just hours before he passes away, his son Conor was part of Claregalway football panel that played in the opening round of the Galway senior football championship.
As a teacher in Claregalway National School, Enda was loved by pupils, parents and staff. He was kind, diligent and professional in the work he carried out. He commanded tremendous respect from all and played a leading role in external activities with the pupils.
With the ongoing crisis of Covid 19, hundreds of people lined the route as the funeral cortege travelled from his home to the church and from the church to the cemetery and stood outside the church as Mass was celebrated. Enda’s staff colleagues at Claregalway National School escorted his remains as they travelled from the church to Claregalway cemetery.
Enda will be greatly missed in the community and in particular by his loving family, wife Sinead, daughter Megan, sons Conor, Ryan, Eanna, Ruairi and Joey, his parents Denny and Esther, brothers Declan and Donnacha, sisters Sandra and Marie, in-laws, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, relatives, work colleagues and past and present pupils at Claregalway National School, his many colleagues in Carnmore and Claregalway GAA clubs, his neighboufrs and friends.
