Fond farewells to Fair City star Joan

THERE were cameras and a full house at the final curtain call for Fair City star Joan Brosnan Walsh, whose funeral took place in Malahide, Co Dublin, yesterday.

Fr Paul Thornton, who celebrated the actor’s funeral Mass at the Church of the Sacred Heart, pointed out the cables and spotlights fitted for RTÉ’s live broadcasting of Christmas Day Mass and said he was sure Joan would have approved of having the equipment around her.

Joan played the character of Mags Kelly for 20 years on the hit soap based in the fictional Dublin suburb of Carrigstown.

She left the series last January because of health problems associated with motor neurone disease, a degenerative condition that causes increasing mobility loss in the limbs and difficulty with speech, swallowing and breathing.

There were many Fair City faces among the congregation that packed the church, including Tom Jordan, who played the role of Joan’s fictional husband, Charlie.

Jim Bartly, who has played the character Bella Doyle since 1988, said Joan was a warm, kind and caring person who was missed by everyone involved in Fair City.

Fr Thornton, who welcomed Joan’s husband, Willie and three daughters, Helen, Ingrid and Ruth, said the Mass was a celebration of Joan’s great talents and the many different ways she touched people’s lives.

Joan, who was in her 60s, had worked in Aer Lingus and as a costume designer for many years before becoming an actor.

Fr Thornton described Joan as an extraordinarily gifted person.

“She was also someone who tried to live out the gift of love in everything she encountered and everyone whose life she touched,” he said.

For many years Joan was a member of the Enchiriadis Choir and members joined the church choir to provide music for her funeral, with son-in-law, David, singing the Christmas carol I Wonder as I Wander, at the end of the Mass.

Helen, Joan’s eldest child, said she was an “amazing, lovely mum”.

She said her mother was always, creative, resourceful, vibrant, bright, independent, quirky, fun-loving and, of course, gorgeous.

As small children they thought she was the most beautiful and talented mum in the world.

“As we grew up and changed, Mum showed an admirable ability to change and grow with us. She was able to adapt to each challenge as it arose, including being a grandmother.”

Joan was always interested in her grandchildren, had great fun with them and loved them all unconditionally, said Helen.

“When she became ill, she faced this new challenge with grace and dignity and, more, her courage, strength, good humour, generosity, tolerance and concern for others around her were extraordinary and increased as her illness progressed.

“Mum, we are so proud of you and we miss you so much. Thank you for being our mum. We love you,” she said.