Mai Gray, R.I.P. Sorrow and a deep sense of loss was experienced over a very wide area at the death of Mai Gray, nee McMahon, The Green, Lanesboro, and formerly of the Gaelic Bar, Main Street, Emyvale. Her death occurred peacefully at her home in Lanesboro on Friday, April 6th after a long illness, which she suffered with great dignity, courage and fortitude.

Mai was born in 1946 to the late Eoin and Margaret McMahon, The Gaelic Bar, Emyvale. She received her primary education at St. Patrick's National School, Corracrin and then completed her Leaving Certificate at St. Louis Secondary School. Her wish to train as a nurse was granted when she was accepted for training in Walton Hospital, Liverpool, where she qualified as an SRN with midwifery. While there she met her future husband, Brian Gray, and they were married in St. Patrick's Church, Corracrin in 1968. They returned to Liverpool where Mai continued to nurse for two years. The family then decided to come to Ireland and Brian was employed by Bord na Mona and was stationed in Lanesboro. They settled there and very soon became an integral part of the community. In 1979 they returned to Emyvale to run the Gaelic Bar for one year but then returned once again to Lanesboro.

As the children grew up Mai decided to go back to her chosen profession and began nursing in St. Joseph's Hospital, Longford. The love and kindness which she displayed to her patients and the great affection, in which she was held by her colleagues there, was clear to see by the manner in which they kept in touch during her final illness and the way they turned out in such vast numbers to attend her removal and Requiem Mass. Mai always put her husband and family first but she still found time to devote her talents to helping the community in which she lived. The gentleness, caring and compassion, which she displayed in her profession as a nurse, was also experienced by her neighbours and friends and they spoke of the heartbreak at losing such a dear friend. She was a very active member of the local branch of the ICA, the Apostolic Group in her parish and work for the Blind. She was very involved with Community Games and other activity, which was being organised for the youth of the area. She had a love for all things Irish and was a fluent Irish speaker. To promote the language, she organised regular Trath na gCeisteanna, Irish question-time, and helped produce dramas as Gaeilge, for the young people. She loved attending Ceilis and gave instruction in Irish Dancing. Indeed anything, which would be of advantage to others in the community, benefited from her abilities and talents, which she gave with a willing and unselfish attitude.

When she first became ill three years ago, she was determined that it would not interfere with her life and her work. She bravely battled with her sickness and carried on with her life and work, until she was too weak to continue just a couple of weeks before her death. Even then her interest in all the happenings never waned. Although her condition was critical for the last week she bore her suffering with a quiet resignation and passed away peacefully on Friday night, surrounded by her husband, children and sisters. On Saturday and Sunday there was a steady stream of callers to the house offering their sympathies. On Sunday evening her remains were brought the short distance from her home to St. Mary's Church, Lanesboro. Along the route her former colleagues formed a Guard of Honour. The church was overflowing with the vast numbers who turned out to show their respects. Together with the local community, a huge number of people from the North Monaghan area attended. Her remains were received by Parish Priest, Canon McAuley, assisted by Fr, Brendan Sullivan, a very close friend of the family, and Fr. Liam Cuffee, Chaplain at St. Joseph's Hospital.

Again for the Requiem Mass on Monday morning, a very big number from the Emyvale and Truagh areas joined with the local community in Lanesboro. The chief celebrant was Canon McAuley, assisted by Fr, Brendan Sullivan and Fr. Billy Hughes, CC Donagh. In his homily Canon McAuley referred to Mai's courage, kindness and deep faith. He described her as a most wonderful person and a shining example to all. She was, he said, a loving wife and mother, and a highly respected and active member of the Lanesboro community. He remembered her attending daily Mass and then going about her daily routine. He recalled her bravery, her warmth, her thoughtfulness, her unselfishness, her charity, her gentleness and the welcome in her home where the teapot was always ready. He spoke of her great faith and said that his own faith had been strengthened through her example. Everyone, who knew her, had been touched by her abundant excellent qualities and that her death had left a huge void in the life of the Lanesboro community. The readings at the Mass were pronounced by Monica McKernan and Emma McCarvill; Prayers of the Faithful were offered by Lorraine McCarvill, Zara Gray, Anne Gray, Rosemary McCarvill and Mary Walsh. Psalmist was Edelle McMahon and soloist was Amelia Murphy; organists and music was supplied Paula McMahon, Edelle McMahon and Amelia Murphy; Gifts were brought to the altar by Michelle and Aisling Brady, Jennifer and Amanda Gray and Lil Kirwan; hymns were sung by members of St. Patrick's Choir, Corracrin, and members of St. Mary's Choir, Lanesboro, and a reflection was read by Fr. B. Hughes. Family members and cousins acted as pall-bearers. After the Mass the cortege made its way to nearby Clonbonny Cemetery for the graveside obsequies and burial. Along the way her colleagues in the ICA formed a Guard of Honour.

To her husband, Brian; to her children Anne (Dublin), Sharon (Brady, Lanesboro), Jennifer (Dublin), Amanda (Lanesboro) and Emmet (Lanesboro); to her sisters, Rosemary (McCarvill, England) and Monica (McKernan, Emyvale); to her grandchildren; to her uncles and aunts; to her nephews and nieces; to her in-laws; to her very wide circle of relations and friends, we offer our deepest sympathy. Ar dheis De go raibh a h-anam naofa.