I would just like to offer a most sincere thank you to all who so kindly travelled both from places near and far away to sympathise after the recent sad loss of our dear Vera. Also to everyone who attended her funeral, removal and visited mum at home, as well as everybody who gave of their time to make a phone call, send a Mass card, for your kind words, texts, emails, lovely stories, beautiful food, gifts and support in the days and weeks leading up to and following her death.

To Vera's incredible doctor, confidant and a constant source of strength and support, Dr Caitríona Waters, her colleague Dr Richie Baggott and their wonderful team at Seapoint Medical Centre, Bearna. Mum was always extremely thankful to all of you for your wonderful help, guidance, kindness, support and empathy over the years. A huge depth of gratitude also to her consultants who contributed so positively to Vera, through their care and expertise; Dr. Blaithnead Murtagh, Professor Gerry O’Sullivan, Professor Maccon Keane and Dr. Verona Hegarty

Accompanying Vera on so many of her medical visits was mum's life long friend Kay Naughton. They began their nursing careers together along with Noreen O’Reily on the same day in the Regional Hospital Galway when they were just 18 years of age. Kay and Noreen were a steadfast support for Vera throughout her life and especially over the past few years.

So grateful for the constant help, advice and kindness shown by Colm Kennelly and all his fabulous staff at Colm’s Pharmacy & Health Food Store, Salthill including Deirdre, Marianne, Naoise, Orla and Stephanie.

To Olivia Byrne our Public Health Nurse along with Jane, Sarah, Breeda, Kevin, Lisa, Paula, Una and Margaret from The Galway Hospice Palliative Care Team who were so incredibly kind to mum. They gave Vera great comfort at home during her final weeks and days. It's difficult to put into words the extremely positive impact of their work at such a sad time but our hearts are most grateful. Thank you to everybody who donated to the wonderful Galway Hospice Foundation.

There are so many people we are most grateful to, especially Ann Flanagan, Ann and Michael O'Connor (Centra Salthill), Bridie Brosnan, Bridie Moran, Dr Dan Murphy, Dorothy King, Doreen Dunleavy, Enda, Eugene and Yvonne Cunningham, Frances Jennings, Finola Concannon, Geraldine, Grace Reid, Joan Owens, Lana, Laura, Louis J Maguire, Mary Dunleavy, Mary Sherry, Maureen Kissane, Orla O'Connor, Seán Jennings, Sr Ailbe (Josie), Sr Angela and Veronica Cregan for all their visits, phone calls, generosity of spirit and support to Vera especially over the past couple of years.

Thank You to our extremely thoughtful and kind neighbours and friends, who arranged a candle light procession to accompany Vera on her last trip home through Oaklands to Lenaboy Gardens.

Borrowing a phrase my dad Seán likes to use, he celebrated 60 very happy years of marriage with his dearest Vera last September : 'Thank You Kindly' Fr. Gerry Jennings for your visits, guidance and enlightening approach to life. Also to Bishop Brendan Kelly, Canon Frank Duhig, Very Rev. Michael Dean McLoughlin for their prayers and celebration of Vera's life at her funeral mass. 

It was really so lovely to see so many former members of staff, customers, suppliers, friends and guests of the Hotel Sacre Coeur, Salthill during this time including members of the Galway and extended GAA community, the Mayo Association Galway, all of the sporting, church, residential, business and teaching communities who were so much part of the day to day life in the 'Sac' . It was very thoughtful that Vera was remembered at the Connacht Senior Club Final between Maigh Cuilinn and Tourlestrane shortly after her passing in the Pearse Stadium. Thank You most sincerely. 

Thank you to Vinnie Mullen for his lovely singing and music in the church and at the graveside.

Thanks so much to Ronan and members of An Garda Síochána traffic division for their traffic management and kindness shown during this time.

A special thank you to Willie, Eddie and Ronan of O’Flaherty Funeral Directors for their professionalism, warm support and guidance through the difficult days after Vera’s passing. 

To Ray and the grave diggers of the New Cemetery, Bohermore for the wonderful way in which they prepared Vera’s final resting place, thank you most sincerely. 

Thank you to Dan Murphy and his wonderful staff at the lovely Galway Bay Hotel for their excellent hospitality after Vera's funeral.

It would be impossible to thank everyone individually but will be forever grateful to all who were so helpful and continue to be a source of strength. Please accept this acknowledgement as an appreciation of our extreme gratitude. 

The 11am Mass on Monday March 13th in the Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas, Galway Cathedral and also the 9:30 am mass on the Feast Day of St Joseph on Sunday March 19th in Christ The King Church, Salthill will be offered as a 'Thanksgiving' for all who are acknowledged here and for your own intentions. It is a small appreciation of our heartfelt thanks for your support, kindness and love over the past few years sent Vera's way. 

Mum loved living life, her family, friends, walks on the prom, playing cards, laughing & making the very most of every day. She worked as a nurse and in hospitality, making friends everywhere and anywhere she traveled. She always saw the goodness, nature and potential of others. Vera was delighted to see people succeed in everything they do and was always ready to help. Although Vera had challenges for a couple of years with health issues, when asked how she was doing, she often replied with a positive “not too bad thank you, how are you? ". She was also a woman of strong faith who had a great devotion to Our Lady:

The Memorare Prayer

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.

A Birthday Remembrance Mass for Vera will be celebrated in Christ The King Church, Salthill, on Thursday March 2nd at 10am.

Thank You To All Acknowledged Above. May God Bless And Protect You Everyday Of Your Lives, 

Sincerely, 

Séan Óg Dunleavy