Maggie Deane (27 Aug 1937 - 11 Aug 2020)

In loving memory of Maggie Deane who sadly passed away on 11th August 2020

The Funeral Mass will be live-streamed and will be accessed via www.sacredheartcarlton.com

Margaret (Maggie) Deane (nee Campbell)

Maggie was born on 27 August 1937 in a small village called Doona, in
the townland of Ballycroy, Co. Mayo on the west coast of Ireland. She
was the second of five children born to Thomas and Julia Campbell. Her
siblings were John, Kathleen, Petie and Bridgie. When Maggie was
4 years old, her father died suddenly due to burst appendicitis. These
were hard times for the young family. Another significant event in her
childhood came a year later when the family home was struck by
lightning, the chimney and part of the roof came down. They were all
fortunate to survive with minor burns but had to stay with relatives and
neighbours for many months before the house was rebuilt. It also left
Maggie with a fear of thunder and lightning all her life.
Like many Irish before her, Maggie had to leave home to find work in
order to support herself and her family. In 1955, she followed her two
aunts Nellie and Katie Leneghan also from Ballycroy, who were living
and working in Nottingham. Mum found work at the Player’s cigarette
factory, she also worked as a bus conductor on Trent Buses. She lived
with Nellie and her husband Jim Miles in Clifton and enjoyed going to
the Dances at the Cathedral and the Queens where she met Johnny
Deane, who was also from Co Mayo and they married in 1958.
The next few years followed the birth of their children, Mary, Tommy,
John, Patricia and Christine (twins) and Christopher. At one stage
Maggie had five children under five years old. At that time, the family
lived on Sneinton Dale with no indoor bathroom which would have
presented lots of challenges. Maggie and Johnny worked hard and the
family eventually moved to Greenwood Avenue in 1967 which was the
family home for thirty years.
The garden in Greenwood Ave provided ample space for Maggie to
nurture her love of gardening and for Johnny to grow vegetables.

Over the years Maggie supplemented the family income by working at
Berni Inns, as a Dinner Lady at St Bernadette’s School, as a Home Help
and as a Carer at Nazareth House. We have many happy memories of
family life, of growing up and of the holidays in Ireland reconnecting
with their own families which were so important for Maggie and
Johnny.
In 1985, a time when the family were growing up and finding their own paths in life, Johnny was diagnosed with Motor Neuron disease. In the following years as Johnny’s health deteriorated, Maggie became his full time Carer and nursed him at home until his death in 1990.
This was another major life adjustment for Maggie. She moved to Netherfield in 1997 where she found new friends and was well known as a good neighbour. Maggie remained committed to her family, helping to care for the next generation. Her grandchildren brought her much joy and new life and she always look forward to their visits. In latter years the great grandchildren have held a special place in her heart.
Maggie was a woman deeply rooted in her faith, there was always a candle burning for anyone in need, for special occasions and prayers offered. She served as a Eucharistic Minister in the Parish and in the last few years she was grateful to receive the Eucharist at home. Three years ago, she celebrated her 80 birthday, with Mass at Sacred Heart Church followed by a party in the Parish Centre.
During the last number of years Maggie experienced a lot of loss in her life with the death of all her siblings and close family members. As her health deteriorated, she was determined to continue to live life to the full for as long as possible and lived each day with gratitude and grace.
She died peacefully at home on 11 August at home surrounded by her beloved family. May she rest in peace, reunited with Johnny and all those she has loved who have gone before her, and enjoy the rewards of a life well lived and well loved.

PLEASE SCROLL BELOW TO SEE A SNAPSHOT OF MUM’S LIFE.