Portarlington GAA Club lost another great woman on Monday with the passing of Mary Lawlor (née Dermody). Although Mary made Portarlington her home many years ago after moving from Leighlinbridge, she always remained a proud Carlow woman at heart. She also became — and forever will be remembered as — a great Port GAA woman.

  Since the establishment of the ladies committee in the mid-1960s, Mary was a dedicated, loyal, and hardworking member whose contribution to the club cannot be overstated. Through her efforts and community spirit, she played a significant role in many landmark events in the club’s history — including The Port Show, the official opening of the Youth Centre in 1982, American Tea Parties, Poker Classics, and countless Bingo nights. Her work helped shape not only the club, but the wider community we are all proud to belong to.

  Mary was also one of the remarkable “Ladies of Portarlington GAA Club” who received special acknowledgment from Laois captain Ian Fitzgerald in his famous Croke Park speech following the 2003 Leinster Senior Football Championship victory. That moment reflected the admiration and gratitude the players, club and county had for Mary and her friends. Sadly, Mary is not the first of this amazing group of women we have had to say goodbye to, but their legacy will always remain.

  As Portarlington GAA Club prepares to say farewell to another wonderful club person, our deepest thoughts and sympathies are with Mary’s family. She will be dearly missed by her daughters Therese, Margaret, Mary and Breda, her sons John, Eamon, Colm, Robert, Brendan, Ronan and Mark, her brother, sisters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, partners, nephews, nieces, extended family, neighbours and many dear friends.

  Mary will now be reunited with her beloved husband Lauri, their son Lauri Jnr, and baby daughter Kathleen.

 Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis