Mrs Maeve Lynch

MRS Maeve Lynch (née Keenan), of Saul Road, Downpatrick, recently passed away at the Northern Ireland Hospice after a long illness. She was 69.

Maeve spent her early years in Teconnaught, later  moving to Downpatrick where she attended the Convent of Mercy school before continuing  her education at Assumption Grammar School, Ballynahinch. 

Having been born into a prominent Downpatrick nursing family, it was perhaps inevitable that Maeve would find a similar vocation. She graduated from Purdysburn Fever Hospital in 1966 as a registered fever nurse. Her father, Danny, mother Kathleen and sister Joan, who predeceased her, were nurses in the Downpatrick hospitals, as were her brother, Shane, and other sister, Roisin .

One of five sisters, three of whom were born within the space of 22 months, Maeve was always very close to her siblings. Vivacious, beautiful and with a keen interest in fashion, Maeve, accompanied by her sisters, was a very popular figure at the many dances in the area where she was never lacking a dance partner.

Maeve exchanged her role as a nurse for that of a wife and mother. She continued her involvement with nursing through the Nurses Guild and carried their banner in Lourdes on a number of occasions.

Relatively early in life Maeve’s health began to deteriorate, but she fought tenaciously. Later, in fact, she was well enough to return to nursing, but was ultimately compelled to retire at a young age when her mobility became impaired.

Despite deteriorating health, Maeve was always a great companion. A day in her company was never dull. She made friends readily and enjoyed  making new ones, although always remaining  very close to her sisters and friends from those earlier days at Purdysburn.

Feisty and determined to the very end, Maeve eventually succumbed to her illness. Never for one single day during that entire time did she express any self pity. She remained constantly positive and was a joy to those close to her.

Maeve is buried in her family grave at Holy Family cemetery in Teconnaught,  the village in which she was born and spent her earlier days.

She is survived by her husband, John, children Mary Jo and Jonathan, sisters Carmel and Roisin and brother Shane.