Kavanagh, Nellie
January 12, 2011Killarney mourned the passing of Nellie Kavanagh last week.
Nellie Cavanaugh (nee Myers) died peacefully in her home on Muckross Road on Monday morning last, surrounded by her family, following a brief illness. She would have been 99 next month.
Born in Tureenamult, Gneeveguilla, Nellie and her late twin sister Joan were born in 1912 to Jack and Kate Myers. Nellie grew up in the Priory, Muckross Road, and later Ross Road, and worked locally in a drapery shop after finishing her education in Lorreto convent.
Steaming from a strong sporting background, Nellie was a prominent athlete in her day and excelled at Camoige and cycling. Her father Jack was a member of Kerry's first All-Ireland winning football team in 1903, who repeated their success in 1904. Her brother Billy won four All-Irelands between 1937 and 1941.
The family had a strong connection with the Dr Crokes club, which was copper-fastened in 1946, when Nellie married Dan Kavanagh, a native of Dun Chaoin who played with the Killarney side. It was also the year Dan won the All-Ireland title with the Kingdom; a tradition which was carried on by son Domhnall and her grandchildren, Eanna Kavanagh, Katie and Brian Gleeson, who all donned he green and gold jersey in later years. Nellie was vice-chairperson of the Dr Crokes club at the time of her death.
Dan and Nellie had five children and the family lived on Muckross Road until Dan was offered the post of county engineer in Wexford from 1962. In 1968, the family moved to Cork where Dan worked as Cork County Engineer. The Kavanaghs returned home to Killarney in 1977, where Dan served as Kerry County Engineer until 1986.
Described by her family as a jolly, fun-loving character, Nellie will be sadly missed by all.
Among the numerous mourners who paid their sympathies to the family following Nellie's death was centenarian Mrs Sheila O'Donoghue (nee Foley) of the Gleneagle Hotel, a lifelong friend.
Nellie was buried in Aghadoe Cemetery alongside her loving husband Dan, who died in 2008, on Wednesday last, following a Requiem mass in St Mary's Cathedral, concelebrated by Fr Kevin McNamara.
Nellie is survived by her sons Sean and Domhnall, daughters Siobhan, Catherine and Eileen, sons and daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Courtesy of The Kerryman 12/1/11 Tweet
