Siobhán Lonergan: 'A life filled with colour, love, conversation and laughter'

The recent passing of Siobhán Lonergan, late of Modeligo, has evoked feelings of deep sorrow and grief throughout West Waterford and beyond following her peaceful passing at her home surrounded by her loving family on Sunday October 13, 2024 

Siobhán was born on February 20, 1972, the eldest child of Eamon and Mary. She enjoyed an idyllic childhood, growing up alongside her younger siblings John, Clare and Angela. 

From an early age Siobhán developed a love of sport, with her Dad Eamon her inspiration. She played football with St. Pats and in recent years rarely missed an underage match where she could be heard cheering from the sidelines. Later in life she took on the role of PRO for the Kilgobinet GAA Club.

Siobhán attended Coolnasmear National School and subsequently the Mercy Convent in Dungarvan.

She commenced her third level education in Maynooth, studying science and later specialising in microbiology. In these years Siobhán spent her summers working in the lab in Waterford Foods. 

After graduating, she started her work career in Stafford Miller where lifelong friendships were made. She later moved to Microchem where she made a huge impression before eventually commencing at Pinewood in 2004. 

A a hugely diligent member of the team there, always gave 100% and loved her work and colleagues. Siobhán made friends easily and was the ultimate people person.

She met the love of her life Ed at a Ballinameela Macra field evening when she was nineteen. From the very start they had a huge amount in common, not least their love of sport and stories.

Her brother John recalled in his words of tribute at the Requiem Mass “For Siobhán the jokes and stories were always the best when Ed was telling them!” 

They were married in Kilgobinet Church in 2000 and Siobhán moved to Mountain Castle where she was warmly welcomed by the whole Lonergan Family.

When she first got sick, the news was devastating for herself, Ed and the Byrne and Lonergan Families, however Siobhán displayed her characteristic positivity and bore her illness with admirable dignity, courage and fortitude. 

The love and care which Ed, Clare, Honor, Angela, Catherine and Edel gave her was exceptional and ensured she could stay at home until she passed away peacefully on the 13th of October. 

Even though Siobhán is gone now from this earthly dwelling, the memory of her life will continue to inspire her family, relatives and many friends into the future.

“Sibh we all love you so much and thank you for the love you gave us in abundance. You will always be in our hearts and never forgotten. I líonta Dé go gcastar sinn le chéile."

Siobhán lay in repose at the Kiely Funeral Home, Dungarvan on Tuesday evening, 15th October. Despite the inclement weather, vast numbers of people came from near and far to remember Siobhán, a fitting testament to the very high esteem in which she was held.

At the beginning of her funeral mass, a number of symbols were brought to the altar which perfectly encapsulated her vibrant and beautiful life, filled with colour, love, conversation and laughter.

A Waterford LGFA jersey, pictures with loved ones, items of fashion, petri dishes, a Munster Rugby hat and a Green Bay Packers banner, an award that Siobhán won for drama, the keys to her car, her phone and rosary beads were brought forward.

Siobhán is deeply mourned and sadly missed by her loving husband Ed, parents Eamon and Mary, brother John, sisters Clare and Angela. She is forever remembered by her parents-in-law John and Bridget Lonergan, brothers-in-law Tomás and Michael John Lonergan and Tommy Cullinan, sisters-in-law Honor Donnelly, Catherine Drahms, Edel Walsh, Donna Lonergan, Catherine Lonergan and Mary Byrne, aunts Anne and Breda, uncles Pierce and Fr. Michael O'Byrne. 

She is also sadly missed by James, Greg, Philip and Emilio, nieces and nephews Molly, Clara, Anna, Eamon, Tom and all of Ed's nieces and nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.

Month’s Mind Mass for Siobhán will be offered at 7 p.m. on Friday evening, 15th November in Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Modeligo.