Tributes paid to Laois child care worker following sad passing

29th April 2020

Tributes have been paid to a Laois child care worker who sadly passed away yesterday.

Stradbally woman Nina McEvoy died following an illness and she is fondly remembered by those who knew her.

Nina, who is from Woodview in the town, spent a lot of her life working in child care – having spent time in both Kolbe Special School and Kilminchy School House.

The owner of Kilminchy School House, Sonya Duggan, paid a wonderful tribute to Nina last night.

She said: “It is with a distraught and heavy heart, that we learned that our dearest colleague Nina McEvoy (Nèe-Mulhare) passed away today.

“Nina would be celebrating her 64th Birthday next week. We always knew what an amazing, thoughtful, kind and caring woman she was.

“I honestly do not know how I can adequately describe Nina with words. She lived her life the best way she could and always tried to see the positive in everything.

“Nina encouraged others to do the same and no matter what she was going through, she kept the bright side out. Nina cared deeply for everyone she knew, whether you were her family, friend, colleague or a member of the community.

“Nina was always willing to help out someone in need. She had the kindest heart of anyone we knew, the children loved her – we all loved her. We were always made feel welcome when we would go to visit her and her family and we all enjoyed our chats in the school staff room over tea, toast and lots of biscuits. Everyone confided in her and sought words of wisdom and advice and vice versa.

“Nina was a person so filled with light. Everyone knew her. Everyone loved her and she always had a smile and hug. She was like an institution in Kilminchy School House for many years.

“Nina first came to KSH possibly back in 2004 (I stand to be corrected), when she was completing her Childcare training and we were immensely proud of her.

“Nina remained with us for many years working part-time and as a relief member of staff, assisting with all age groups at our service up to maybe 2016/2017, when due to ill health, she had to retire.

“Nina also worked in the Kolbe Centre for years. We never lost that connection and Nina continued to join us at the Dunamaise Arts Centre for our Christmas and Graduation Shows, as aka ‘ the Elite Tea Ladies’ with my mum Val, and other special events, trips and staff get-togethers at school up until last Summer, June 2019.

“Nina was a generous, loving, supportive and unselfish woman who always put other people before herself.

“She adored her grandchildren Ryan and Aaron and her sons Paul and Mark and son Sean who passed away sadly in 2013.

“Our deepest and sincerest condolences to Nicholas and her sons who have been a great strength to Nina these past months and to all her family.

“We will miss her with all of our hearts and will always cherish the times we spent together. (One of our memories was getting her rigged out for Linda’s Wedding and she looked a million dollars).

“Nina’s ‘Go To Song’ at Circle Time was ‘Grandma’s in the kitchen, doing a bit of knitting, how many stictches will she do?’ and consequently, Nina over the past few years became very proficient at knitting!

“Nina has touched the lives of so many people and even though she is gone, her memory will live on in all of our hearts forever. Her spirit has not left us.

“So I leave you with a quote from The Wizard of Oz … ‘A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others’.

“God Bless you Nina, you are now united with Sean. Sleep Well. R.I.P From Sonya and all the KSH Team.”

Nina is predeceased by her son Sean and brothers Michael and Brendan.

Nina will be greatly missed by her husband Nicholas, sons Paul and Mark, grandchildren Ryan and Aaron.

She is also sadly missed by her sisters Magaret Marron, Toni Deegan, Elizabeth Reddin and Breda Dolan, brothers Joe and David, brothers in law, sisters in law Nieces, nephews, relatives, Neighbours and friends.