Munster Express Online

It is with deep regret that we record the death of Helane Doyle (nee Coulthard) who passed away to her eternal reward on December 17th last aged 53 years.

She is survived by her husband, Billy; son Liam and daughter Mary; her brother Alan and his wife, Val; nephews David and Andrew, relatives and friends.

Helane was born in London in 1956 and raised by her parents Margaret and Bob Coulthard. Helane and her brother, Alan, were regular visitors to Ireland as although Bob was from Oxford in England, Margaret was formerly Phelan of the Hollow House Ferrybank. Margaret had ten brothers and sisters and, subsequently, there were many cousins who spent their summer holidays in The Hollow House with their Aunty Lily and the much loved Atkins family, Kathleen, Camillus, PJ and David. In particular, Helane always insisted that she was in Ireland at the same time as her cousins Marie, Dawn and Helana.

Helane came to live in Ireland in 1975 when Margaret, Bob and Bob’s sister, Betty, moved here permanently while her brother Alan moved to Australia where he had two sons David and Andrew; Helane was delighted to move to Ann Mount in Christendom.

Helane first worked in Singer sewing machines which she always said was her favourite job; she then went to work in Clover Meats before getting married to Billy Doyle in 1988. Helane was welcomed by all the Doyle family and life long friendships developed. Helane had three children, Liam, Mary and Catherine and it was in her role as mother to the children she loved so dearly that she found her real happiness.

She continued to work as a cleaner, a Kleeneze agent and then as a Youth Worker in Waterford and Carrick on Suir before ill health forced her to prematurely leave work.

Her saddest day was when her daughter Catherine was killed in a car crash in July 2006. Helane never got over the loss of her lovely Cati, and fought heroically for justice for her daughter right up to the final days of her life.

Her son, Liam, and her daughter, Mary, were the reason she stoically faced her illness with bravery and courage that surprised even her and her good humour and strength have left a lasting impression on all of us who shared in the final months and days of her life.

Helane’s family and friends came from near and far to see her during her illness. She enjoyed days out and nights out that were held in her honour while she was still with us to enjoy them, and enjoy them she did! Helane loved all the extended ‘Phelan’ family who live in all parts of Ireland and England and a kept a special place in her heart for Monica.

Her hobby was photography and graphics and she was very pleased when her daughter Mary was accepted for a degree course in graphic design in the Waterford institute of technology and was truly proud of her son Liam who is an apprentice electrician.

Liam and Mary have special aunties, Ann, Joan and Breda (Doyle), special uncles, Marty, Tommy and Alan and aunt Val plus a network of special cousins in Ireland, England and Australia and a circle of friends that is be envied. It is all due Helane’s ability to stay in touch with everyone and the ‘easy way’ she related to people, making friendships easy and lasting. Her life long friendship with Nora (O’Meara) Bowden and Mary Penston (England) is testament to that fact. Helane was an avid ‘emailer’ and had an extensive email address book.

Helane passed peacefully surrounded by her family and friends on the 17th December 2009 she was buried with her beloved daughter Catherine.

At her Requiem Mass, Father James Crotty, PP Ferrybank, captured very well Helane’s spirit in his homily and her cousins Annette, Monica, Marie, Dawn, Louise, Pauline and Katrina, sister in laws, Joan, Ann, Breda and Ellen, her nieces and nephews, Nicola, Stephen, Debbie and Orla all participated in her Funeral Mass reflecting the strong family ties that exist.

May she rest in Glorious peace and may all her good deeds be recorded to her eternal credit.