POPULAR Killarney woman Sheila Courtney, who was laid to rest in Aghadoe Cemetery yesterday, was a lifelong lover of musicals and movies and a big fan of leading men of the calibre of Clark Gable, Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Gregory Peck.
But now, following her passing last Monday, she has been reunited with her very own leading man, her husband Michael, who passed away in 2010, their son, Donie, told the congregation at her Requiem Mass in St Mary’s Cathedral.
A professional and accomplished actor, Donie delivered a moving tribute before the start of the ceremony, during which he paid a very warm tribute to his mother.
Sheila Kelliher and Michael Courtney married in May 1956 – the same week that Grace Kelly wed Prince Rainier – and they became known as the King and Queen of High Street where they lived for nearly 20 years and where Michael operated a busy tailoring business.
“It was an open house where everybody was welcome. It was also a divided house – he was Crokes and she was Legion,” Donie disclosed.
Michael was co-opted to the then Killarney Urban District Council, following the death of his great friend Creagh Downing, in 1970 and there began a long and passionate career in local politics during which time he always had the best interests of Killarney at heart.
“From that day onwards, mum was a constant support to our father as he sat on the council and various other boards and organisations. He was out front but she was very much behind the scenes; the real boss,” Donie said.
He said while his mother “let on” she didn’t like attending all the functions and events that were part and parcel of Michael’s time in public life, she always carried herself with great glamour and class which set her out as a real lady.
When Michael was elected Chairman of Killarney Urban District Council for the first time in 1974, he and Sheila were paraded through Killarney in a carriage with President Erskine Childers and his wife and she stood shoulder to shoulder with President Mary McAleese in 2009 at the unveiling of the war memorial on Mission Road in Killarney.
When the Courtney family moved to Ardshanavooley in 1974 they named their new home Avanti which means ‘Welcome’ or ‘Come In’ and Sheila and Michael became very well known for the wonderfully generous hospitality extended to all.
“She was a great fan of the Royal family and it was fitting that on the day she passed away Harry and Meghan decided to honour her by arriving in Ireland and we are very grateful to them for making the effort for mum,” Donie smiled.
He concluding his moving eulogy with the words: “We couldn’t have asked for a better mother. So now mum, it’s time to return to your leading man, Michael, where you can both rest together in a place with the most amazing view – your little bit of heaven”.
Mrs Courtney is survived by her children Nancy, Kathryn, Paddy, Shelanne, Gary, Mike, Donie and Hugh, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, 23 grandchildren, brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces and many other relatives and a wide circle of friends.
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