DOWLING Fionnuala

DOWLING Fionnuala (Athlone) (March 26, 2009) - As Fionnuala's First Anniversary approaches, Niall, Stephen and Sarah together with Malachy, Brian, Siobhan, Halogue, Sean and Andrew would like to thank our families, relatives, neighbours, friends and colleagues who gave us so much support during Fionnuala's illness, at the time of her death and over the course of the last year. To the many people who called to the house, attended Fionnuala's funeral, sent letters of sympathy, offered prayers and Masses we are profoundly grateful. We are indebted to the medical teams from St. Vincent's Private Hospital, the Galway Clinic, Athlone Palliative Care Team and the Galway Hospice who cared for Fionnuala so well over the last number of years. In particular we would like to thank our GP, Dr. Loyola Lowry who was both friend and doctor to Fionnuala. Thank you to Dr. Ursula O'Neill, our neighbour and friend, for being there. Our immense thanks to Fr. Liam Murray, St. Mary's, Athlone who was a source of great support to all of us and to Mgr Eoin Thynne HCF, Fr. Alan Ward CF, Fr. Sean McDermott CF and Fr. Shay Casey, Chaplain AIT, who concelebrated Requiem Mass with Fr. Liam. The singing and music of Geraldine King, Seamus Shannon, Margaret Kilduff, PJ Stacey and the choir of St. Mary's was beautiful and very moving. It was very comforting to meet so many of Fionnuala's medical and physiotherapy colleagues and her childhood neighbours and friends from Hollybrook. Special thanks to our many friends who made the long journey from Inishbofin. The presence of so many of Niall's Defence Forces colleagues was overwhelming. Thanks to lifelong friend Joe Gaffney who was with us every step of the way over the funeral weekend. Thanks also to Dan Murphy who arranged Fionnuala's final resting place in Drum Cemetery and to our friends who honoured Fionnuala with the grave closing tradition. Sincere thanks to the Mess President and Staff of the Officers' Mess, Custume Bks who arranged the reception after Fionnuala's funeral. As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually we hope this will be accepted as a token of our extreme gratitude. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass has been offered for your intentions.