Joan Collins, who has passed away in Killarney, was a real champion for women in agriculture and a leading light in several projects that kept Irish culture and traditions alive.
She was a former national treasurer of the ICA, leading the organisation on several initiatives and she played a leading role in attracting a prestigious international women’s conference to Killarney in 1986.
Very much a woman ahead of her time, she campaigned relentlessly to improve the lives of rural people, especially women and, for her efforts, she garnered enormous respect throughout the entire country.
Joan also established the IFA Farm Family Committee in 1984 and that made quite a difference to the lives of ordinary farm families who availed of the new social network.
From Curragh, Aghadoe and late of Knockeenduve, Killarney, Joan was one of the original bean an tí staff members at Muckross Traditional Farms and she had a charming and warm welcome for thousands of visitors who popped into Quill’s Farmhouse at the popular tourist attraction.
Predeceased by her husband Seán and son Niall, Joan (née O’Meara) is survived by her children Cathleen, Mary Rose, John, Bernadette, Dymphna, Anne, Declan and Denis.
She is further mourned by sons-in-law James Doherty, Martin Shanahan and Jer Breen, her daughters-in-law Patricia, Anne and Ann Marie, her 14 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, sister-in-law Creda O’Meara., brother-in-law John Sugrue, and many other relatives and friends.
Reposing at O’Shea’s Funeral Home, Killarney this Friday from 7.30pm to 9.00pm, the funeral will arrive at the Prince of Peace Church, Fossa, Killarney on Saturday morning at 11.00am for Requiem Mass at 11.30am, followed by burial immediately afterwards in Aghadoe Cemetery.
The Requiem Mass will be live streamed on https://churchmedia.tv/fossa-parish.
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