Rhode's Nuala (97) lived life to the full

The passing of one of Rhode's most beloved citizens and the sacristan in the local church for over six decades is being deeply mourned in the local community this week.

97-year-old Nuala Quinn, from Killure, passed away peacefully on Monday last, January 15, surrounded by her loving family. She is predeceased by her husband Paddy, and also by her brothers and sisters.

As a deeply personal mark of respect to the memory of the late Nuala Quinn, Rhode GAA flew their Club flag at half mast when news emerged of her passing and they described her as “a stalwart of the community” and a lady who was “loved by all who had the pleasure of knowing her”.

The club also said she was the “obvious choice” to serve as the first Grand Marshal for Rhode GAA of the annual St Patrick's Day parade in Rhode in 2017, and was “the perfect example of how to live life to the fullest”.

Another touching tribute was posted online from LaBelle Hair Design in Rhode who expressed their deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Nuala Quinn and outlined how she had been “a huge part” of the salon over many years. “I'm going to miss Nuala so, so much, especially our weekly chats, the advice she gave me daily and all the lovely stories, rest in peace Nuala you were a dear friend,” the tribute read.

Described as “a wonderful lady” and “an exceptional and inspirational person” the late Nuala Quinn endeared herself to everyone she met throughout her long life, but she will be best remembered in Rhode for her long service to the church in her role as sacristan at St Peter's Church in the north Offaly village for the past 66 years.

With her kind and gentle nature, she quickly gained the trust and respect of clergy and lay people alike in Rhode and was especially loved by all the altar servers she looked after. She possessed the unique ability of being able to remember each altar server by name, even after they had long relinquished the job of serving Mass.

Despite her quiet and gentle disposition, the late Nuala Quinn left an indelible mark on her local community in Rhode, with one online tribute describing her as being “like another Nana to us all” while another said she was “like a second mother to all of us growing up in Killure”.

Nuala Quinn (née Murphy) is deeply regretted and sadly missed by her niece, Annette and the Masterson family, her extended family, her morning Mass-going friends, her kind and wonderful neighbours and her many friends in Ofalia House Day Care Centre.

She was laid to rest in Rhode cemetery following Funeral Mass in St Peter's Church yesterday afternoon (Thursday).

May her gentle soul rest in peace.