People from all over the county gathered in Crossroads, Killygordon, this morning to bid a final farewell to Eileen Carlin, one of the oldest residents of the area.
From a family of long livers, she celebrated her 97th birthday two weeks ago.
In his homily in St Patrick’s Church, next door to Eileen’s home, Fr Patsy Arkinson PP described his neighbour as a lovely, caring lady with a quick turn of phrase.
“Eileen was a lovely, lovely lady. She carried a lovely gentle spirit and was always a lovely person to spend time with,” Fr Arkinson said.
However, he joked, she could always put her children ‘in their box’ and ‘always had the last say.’
The mass was concelebrated by former CC, Fr Charlie Logue, who also spoke warmly of her.
Fr Arkinson said Eileen was very much the Matriarch of the family and while she was active up until her sudden death on Saturday night, she had a ‘very tough’ last eleven years. During that time, she lost the love of her life, husband John, in 2013 after 56 years of marriage. Her beloved son, Joseph, also passed away in September, 2021.
“Eileen would have openly talked over the past few years about being ready to join John and Joseph,” he said.
She even had some ‘funny comments’ in relation to death, Fr Arkinson added. He recalled a conversation with her in the local graveyard two years ago when he had just informed her of the death of local woman, Brigid Slevin, who was aged 98.
“She asked me if I had any news and I said Brigid had just died. She replied ‘god, isn’t she the lucky woman’,” he recalled.
He said the past few days had been a time of ‘relief and grief’ for her children – while they were sad about losing their mother, they were relieved she would be reunited with John and Joseph.
Originally Gallagher from Meenacross, Maghery, outside Dungloe, Eileen first came to the Finn Valley to take up a position as the local District Nurse. Shortly after, she met and married John Carlin.
Fr Arkinson told the story of when an eight-year-old boy was put under her care in Lifford Hospital. There wasn’t much hope for him, however, Eileen believed ‘where there’s life, there’s hope.’
“She took an interest in that boy and nurtured him back to good health. That boy, Patsy Anderson, went on to become a grandfather and only died last year in his early 70s,” he said.
“Eileen herself was in the caring profession, and a carer in her home too… Eileen was always an influence for good.”
She was laid to rest afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.
Predeceased by her husband, John, and son Joseph, she is survived by her sons Sean, Eugene, Marty, Declan and daughters Deirdre and Bernie. She is also survived by her sister Rosie, who turns 100 in May, Bridie, Anne, Jimmy, and the late John, Joe, and Molly. She also leaves behind sons in law, daughters in law, grandchildren, great grandchildren, extended family and friends.
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