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Frances Watkins, 28 Jan
AT MASSES on Christmas Eve and Day, Helen Crosse-Concannon sang with
her colleagues in the church choir.
Tragically, just over two weeks later the same choir held back tears as
they performed at her funeral Mass in Ss Peter and Paul’s Church in
Crecora. Helen was just 52-years-old.
It is one of countless examples of her strength and fortitude as she
fought her illness for almost seven years every step of the way.
Another example is that Helen had an operation the day after she gave a
beautiful oration at her mother’s funeral Mass in 2019. The majority of
her extended family only learned of the planned procedure afterwards.
Very sadly, Helen passed away unexpectedly, surrounded by her loving
family, on Tuesday, January 10. And what a loving family - her beloved
husband Martin and their two children - the apples of her eye - Denise,
aged 14, and Patrick, 13.
Helen was the youngest of the late Denis and Eileen Crosse’s nine
children - born in Donohill, Tipperary.
One of her five brothers, Tom Crosse, in his oration at her funeral
Mass, said she was the “pet of the family” and he spoke of her pretty
face and glorious curls as a child.
In later life, Limerick became Helen’s home but she remained a fiercely
proud Tipperary woman. Two of the gifts brought to the altar were a
Tipperary jersey, which she wore to the 2019 All-Ireland final when the
Premier County defeated Kilkenny, and a Tipperary flag which she waved
with pride. Despite living in Dooradoyle and then Crecora for decades,
Helen still drove a T- registered car.
After finishing school in St Anne’s, Tipperary Town, Helen picked
education as her chosen career and she qualified from University
College Cork as a secondary school teacher.
She taught English and French in Kilmallock and then Cappamore, her
mother’s homeplace. Helen had even worked as an au pair in France
during her college holidays to become a fluent French speaker.
After St Michael’s in Cappamore amalgamated with the two schools in
Doon to form Scoil na Trionoide Naofa, Helen taught in the new
school. She also returned to UCC to qualify as a special education
teacher.
Helen taught in Doon until her forced retirement on health grounds due
to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
The influence she had on so many young lives was reflected by the
number of former students who attended her obsequies. Her removal
lasted for four and a half hours such was the number of people from
near and far who wanted to pay their respects.
The church in Crecora was also overflowing with mourners at her funeral
Mass. There were a number of guards of honour such was the high esteem
in which Helen was held.
Some of her favourite hymns were sung at the Mass by Sarah Murphy and
the choir. Helen’s love of singing was complemented by her talent on
the piano. She even qualified as a piano teacher.
[ILIM_st_johns_nr1-1674658133556.jpg--.jpg?1674658136195]
St John's Hospital redevelopment would have 'powerfully positive'
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But the three loves of her life were Martin and their children Denise
and Patrick.
Martin described his wife of 17 years as a “wonderful wife and mother”.
“She was always supporting them on the sideline and bringing them to
matches and training sessions,” said Martin, who spoke fondly of
family holidays in Dingle and Lahinch.
Among other gifts brought to the altar at the funeral Mass said by
Canon John O’Shea, and concelebrated by Fr Richie Davern, Fr Chris
O’Donnell, Fr Damien Ryan and Fr Tim Wrenn, was a handbag from her
collection. Helen loved fashion, particularly handbags and shoes.
Whether she was in Dublin, Limerick, Cork or Galway she would always
pop into Brown Thomas.
There have been countless tributes paid including from Crecora Manister
GAA, Crecora Camogie Club, Laurel Hill Secondary School, Ardscoil RĂs,
Crecora NS and An Garda Siochána as Martin is a sergeant in Kilmallock.
Inspector Gearoid Thompson, based in Bruff, extended his sympathies on
behalf of An Garda Siochana in the county community engagement area and
especially in Kilmallock.
Tom Crosse said his sister was “a lady of great class, elegant, gentle,
soft-spoken and sophisticated”. He added: “She was a woman of great
courage, enormous pride and profound dignity.” That courage has been
passed down to her children as they both spoke at the funeral Mass
after their dad.
Martin thanked her medical team for taking such care of Helen for
almost seven years, in particular, her GP Dr CrĂŤona Burns; Dr Shona
Tormey and her team in UHL; and consultant oncologist Dr David
Fennelly and his team in the Blackrock Clinic.
Then Patrick and Denise spoke movingly about their mum.
“I’m proud to have you as my mother,” said Patrick.
Denise said: “I’m so lucky to have been given the best mother in the
world.”
Helen’s legacy will live on in them and their shared memories which
will last a lifetime. May she rest in peace.