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| It was my privilege to deliver the eulogy at Mary's funeral today. |
Mary Halloran was one of the first people we met when we arrived in Batley in 1972. She was our neighbour and for me, epitomised the philosophy “love your neighbour”. She is amongst the kindest, most generous hearted, loveliest ladies I have ever known.
Mary set a wonderful example to everyone on our street. She was a selfless person who always put her family first and herself last. She was a loving wife to her beloved husband Peter, a wonderful mother to Bernadette, David and Catherine and later a wonderful grandmother and great grandmother. She was a shining example of her faith and her neighbours would remark that every Sunday, whatever the weather she always walked her family to church. She certainly inspired me.
Mary had many talents. She was a great seamstress. Her sewing skills were always available for the benefit of friends and neighbours. She would not hesitate to shorten trousers, fix zips and buttons and even make children’s clothes. Children’s anoraks were one of her specialities and she made for our daughter, not only her first anorak, but also her first body-warmer.
On child care matters, she had a fount of knowledge which she readily shared. She would look after our children at any time; she treated our family as her own and many others too.
She shared our worries and was overjoyed by our successes. She made us feel that we were her family.
When we moved away from her street in Healey, we remained just as close and enjoyed holidays together a time or two and she often spoke about how much she enjoyed her holiday in Budapest with Gillian, Dawn and Marielle. She came to all our family celebrations, to us she was part of our family and also many others too.
Here in Batley, there is a marvellous sense of community, which I think is due to the caring attitude of the womenfolk. There are many women in Batley whom I see as sort of folk heroines because of the selfless way that they care for our community and first amongst these, is Mary. She and women like her have created this marvellous community that I love and where I always want to live.
Mary was the Godmother of our children. She was a wonderful lady, a true friend. She is the nearest person to a saint that I have ever known.
There will always be a very special place in our hearts for her.
God Bless you Mary.
Peter O'Neill
