Sadness at death of Glenisk's original yogurt maker, Offaly woman Mary Cleary
The sad news emerged today of the death of Killeigh woman Mary Cleary, of the family behind the Glenisk dairy company.
Ms Cleary, who was in her 92nd year, died peacefully in the presence of her family and in the care of staff at the Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore, yesterday (Wednesday).
In an online tribute, Glenisk shared a photo of Mary with members of her family and wrote: "Mary Cleary, proud Offaly woman, mother of 14, and Glenisk's original yogurt maker, passed away yesterday, leaving behind a proud legacy. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis."
Born in 1932, Mary Cleary (née Dunne) moved to Newtown, Killeigh, after marrying her husband Jack in 1954.
Jack Cleary ventured into dairy farming during the 1970s, and, along with Mary, went on to set up the family's own creamery to pasteurise and pack milk from their farm. From this initiative the business grew and Glenisk later emerged.
When interviewed in 2021, as part of a series of profiles of people in the local community in Killeigh, Mary said: "Today I enjoy the simple pleasures in life and reflect with fond memories of the life that I have lived and the people that I have shared my journey with."
Pre-deceased by her husband Jack, her sister Elizabeth and brother Matthew, Mary will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by her children, John, Teresa, Geraldine, Michael, Kathleen, Kevin, Vincent, Brendan, Brian, Evelyn, Aidan, Bernadette, Gerard and Mark, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many dear friends.
Her family has requested no flowers but donations, if desired, to Friends of Tullamore Hospital instead.
Mary will be reposing in Lawless' Funeral Home, Mucklagh Village (R35 C5P6) tomorrow (Friday) afternoon, from 2pm until 5pm, followed by removal to St Patrick's Church, Killeigh, arriving at 6pm.
Her funeral Mass will take place on Saturday at 11am and will be streamed live online here, with burial afterwards in Killeigh cemetery.
May she rest in peace.