Monday, July 17, 2006

Nelly Redmond, R.I.P.

My wonderfully witty, wickedly mischievious, wise Aunt Nell was buried today. I have nothing inspired to write, so I'll just publish two items here: the death notice from the Irish Independent newspaper and the lyrics to the song sung as the family carried her coffin from the church to the waiting hearse.

"Saddest funeral I was ever at, " Herself said.

I'm still blubbing here as I type. Anyway, the final song broke me up and even looking at the lyrics again is effecting me. So I'll wish you a good journey Nell. We'll see you again with that glint in your eye.

REDMOND (nee Walsh) (Tallaght) July 15, 2006, (peacefully), at her home, surrounded by her family, Ellen (Nell), beloved wife of the late Mick (late of St Maelruans Park); sadly missed by her loving family, children Bernard, Liam, Gerard, Dermot, Michael, Martina, Elaine, Thomas, Michelle, Simon, Edel and James, grandchildren, great grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brothers, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends. Rest in peace. Removal today (Monday) from her home to St. Dominic's Church for 11 o'c. funeral Mass. Burial afterwards to Bohernabreena Cemetery.

ANNIE HASLAM - Going Home
Going home, going home
I'm just going home
Quiet light, some still day
I'm just going home

It's not far, just close by
Through an open door
Work all done, care laid by
Going to fear no more

Mother's there expecting me
Father's waiting, too
Lots of folk gathered there
All the friends I knew

All the friends I knew

I'm going home

Nothing's lost, all's gain
No more fret nor pain
No more stumbling on the way
No more longing for the day
Going to roam no more

Morning star lights the way
Restless dream all done
Shadows gone, break of day
Real life begun

There's no break, there's no end
Just a living on
Wide awake with a smile
Going on and on

Going home, going home
I'm just going home
It's not far, just close by
Through an open door
I am going home
I'm just going home

Going home, going home

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ahh Wilie, that is one of the best funeral songs I have ever heard. She had a great send off from what I hear. I did not really know her well but I assume she was well liked.

Willie_W said...

Very much so. I would say that perhaps only four or five pews in the whole church were unoccupied. There were representatives from Tomas Davis GAA club, and the Pitch 'n' Putt club there of which she was a founding member. Also many other friends and neighbours were in attendance.

Scorp said...

I knew Nelly... I lived from august 2000 to september 2001 at her place. She used to call me her "new baby" since she somehow seemed to love taking care of me. She was a great woman and I liked her and her family very much. I only heard today that she passed away and it hit me very hard. I would never have expected this and I couldn't help but cry... I so much wanted to come back to Irland and to visit her... Every year I tried to find a couple of days to come over but because of many things I have never had the chance to. Now I feel as if I've missed a big chance and I'm more then sad. I don't now what else to write. I wish I had seen her again. I don't even know why she passed away. Age? Illness? I don't know...

Nelly, I really miss you very much! I hope you will forgive me for not having come to visit you again. Last time I called, you seemed so happy I passed my last exams and you asked me if i'll come to Irland again. You always were so nice to me! Thank you for everything!

Your swiss-italian "new baby"

Enrico

Anonymous said...

What a lovely tribute to such a special lady she will be missed by all. I am Kerry her granddaughter not a day goes by when I don’t think of her and she will always have a place in our heart that song is her all ova she always had a smile on her face lighting up the room R.I.P nanny al our love Kerry, Michael, Niamh and Roisin
A wonderful woman and an inspiration to us all
xxxx

Anonymous said...

in reply to enrico we re sorry that you did not find out about nell sooner. she died of cancer which we found out about in late march/early april of this year. thank you for such a lovely comment i remeber you from simons wedding all the best thomas