Sinéad remembered for her work "supporting children and families" in the community
There has been an outpouring of sympathy and warm tributes from community organisations and schools across Athlone following the sad passing of Sinéad Casey (nee Berrigan) in recent days.
She died peacefully at Tullamore Regional Hospital on Monday.
Sinéad, of Sliabh Rúa, Moate, formerly of Retreat Park and St Ruth’s Park, Athlone, was Manager of Westmeath Community Development's After Schools Services in Athone and Mullingar for many years.
She is being remembered fondly this week “for her many years of supporting children and families within the local community” and for her care, professionalism and kindness to all she encountered.
Westmeath Community Development (WCD) closed their offices on June 19 and 20 and will do so again on Friday, the day of her funeral, as a mark of respect to their “much loved friend and colleague”.
“Sinéad had been with WCD and ACT before then for a long number of years, managing our After School Services in Athlone and Mullingar. Sinead was hugely popular with colleagues with many very close friends in WCD,” CEO Frank Murtagh said in a post on social media as he extended his deepest sympathies to her family.
Athlone Family Resource Centre's board of management and staff also extended their condolences to the Casey and Berrigan families on the devastating news of Sinéad's passing.
“Sinéad will be remembered fondly for her many years of supporting children and families within the local community. Her vibrant spirit will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her,” the post on social media said in tribute.
St Paul's NS and the Dean Kelly NS were also among the many others who paid tribute to the legacy that she has left behind and the positive impact she had on children and families in the Athlone area.
“Sinéad, through her dedication to her work with WCD and the after school club in St Paul's has at all times demonstrated an air of professionalism, care and kindness to all our staff, parents and pupils throughout the years. Thank you Sinead for all you have done and the legacy that you have left behind.
“May her family and friends find some comfort knowing that the work that she carried out in our school has had such a positive impact on our pupils and we appreciate all that she worked so hard to create. Sinéad, you will be dearly missed,” the post from staff, pupils and the Board of Management of St Paul's NS said.
Westmeath County Childcare Committee said they had the wonder pleasure of working with Sinéad, who worked so hard to make a massive difference to these children and will be deeply missed by all who knew and worked with her.
Meanwhile, Athlone Community Radio it was “deeply saddened” to hear of Sinéad’s passing.
“Our thoughts are with Sinéad’s family and friends at this difficult time,” a post on the radio's Facebook page stated.
Huge numbers of condolences on the rip.ie website also remembered Sinéad for her hard work for the community, her beautiful smile, good humour and her kind and welcoming presence in the services she was involved with.
Sinéad Casey (nee Berrigan) is predeceased by her parents John and Margaret. She will be sadly missed by her heartbroken son James Dean and daughter Aiesha, their father Pete, her sisters Melissa, Angelina and Natasha, brothers John Paul and Tómas, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family and friends.
Reposing at the Strand Funeral Home (N37 E6K0) on Thursday evening from 4pm to 6pm. Mass of the resurrection on Friday at 1pm in Ss. Peter and Paul Church, Athlone, followed by cremation in Shannon Crematorium.
Mass may be streamed live on https://churchservices.tv/athlone
May she rest in peace.