Carmel loved a good cause and was happy to devote her time
By Mary Dennehy
TRIBUTES are this week being made to Carmel Bermingham, who passed away peacefully at the age of 90 after decades dedicated to her family, community and church.
Living in Old Bawn for 45 years, Carmel and husband Paddy had 13 children together, and now have 32 grandchildren and six great grandchildren, with one on the way.
Carmel Bermingham with her family
Last March, Carmel’s family celebrated her 90th birthday through The Echo, as Carmel and Paddy stayed home due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Originally from Keeper Road in Drimnagh, Carmel passed away peacefully on February 17, surrounded by her loving family at their Tallaght home.
Remembering Carmel, her family told The Echo: “Mam loved her family.
“Her husband, her 13 children, their partners, husbands and wives, her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
“Her best times were when we were together and she would often be seen sitting quietly, just observing us all enjoying ourselves.
Carmel
“Even when some of us got together without her, she would love this and remind us that when we gathered in her name, she was there with us.
“She loved how close we are, how well we all get on and especially more recently, how we take care of each other.
“Her family is a monumental achievement and will be her greatest legacy.”
Carmel is being remembered and celebrated for the contribution she made to community life, most notably in Old Bawn and Aylesbury, and the parish of St Martin De Porres.
Alongside fashion, Carmel loved bingo and was among a team of local ladies who started the bingo in St Martin’s more than 40 years ago – which raised funds for the parish.
“Mam loved a good cause and was always happy to devote her time (and ours) to raising funds and helping others”, her family said.
“She raised and collected funds for the church through everything from the Church Collection through to the erecting of the statue of Our Lady at St Martin’s.
“Charities included St Vincent De Paul, Conquer Cancer Campaign and more recently Saplings, her grandson’s school.
“She also baked cakes for senior citizens.”
Carmel was renowned for her style and elegance when out-and-about or when dropping into Molloy’s in Tallaght Village or Le Croissant D’Or in The Square with Paddy for a bite to eat.
Described by family as having a “great wit and sense of devilment”, Carmel also loved a bit of fun, a bit of singing and a bit of line dancing in her eighties.
“In summary, mam loved life and all of us who shared it with her”, her family said.
“She made a massive impact on everyone she came into contact with and she was simply a pleasure to be around.
“Although Heaven will be so much richer for having her, earth will just not be quite the same without her.”
Carmel’s family wished to thank the palliative team from Our Lady’s Hospice in Harold’s Cross, the local public health nurses, Dr Cantwell and Dr Spillane.
“We couldn’t have looked after mam at home without their help”, the family said.
Former parish priest Father Liam Lacey returned to St Martin De Porres to celebrate Carmel’s funeral mass, after which she was laid to rest in Bohernabreena.
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