Funeral of elderly Cork couple found dead at their home hears they were ‘inseparable'

Irish Independent

2 days ago

Michael (Noel) O'Sullivan and Anne (Née Ryng) were remembered as people who were deeply grounded in their religion and had a love of all things Irish.
The Mass, which took place in the Sacred Heart Church in the village, situated just east of the city boundary, saw friends, family, and neighbours paying their respects to the well-respected couple, with mourners offering their condolences to the family ahead of the ceremony.
The couple's coffins lay side by side on the altar, accompanied by a picture of the pair, who have been remembered fondly since their death on Monday.
Offerings brought to the altar at the funeral Mass included a crucifix to represent the couple's 'deep Catholic faith', and a photograph of Glounthane village to represent their love of their home place.
'A History of Ireland' by Robert Key was also offered, as a symbol of the couple's love of Irish history, politics, and Gaelic.
Ahead of the All-Ireland semi-final tomorrow between Cork and Dublin, the church heard that the couple loved Gaelic Games 'but there was only one game for them, and that was hurling,' as a Cork jersey was brought up.
A radio was also presented as the Mass was told 'they loved nothing more than listening to matches, which prompted much debate and discussion.'
A reading from the first letter of St John - which focuses on the need for love and God's love for his people - was read out, while hymns were also sung during the mass, which was well attended.
'Ann so often had a phrase she used to repeat, 'thank God we don't know what the future brings', said Fr Aidan Vaughan, 'but God knows, and God is good.
'She was so prepared for the will of God, whatever form it would take, because of her faith in almighty God.
'I notice there's no number on that jersey. I know that it meant so much to them, they were so invested in the traditions and games of Ireland.
'They were inseparable. They were united in life, and they were united in death.'
The Mass also remembered the other deceased members of the O'Sullivan and Ryng families and heard about Ann's late brother Eolan, who spent his life as a Capuchin monk, before returning to Cork to be cared for by his sister before his death.
'Ann and Michael are still part of that communion of saints,' said Fr Vaughan, who concluded by saying: 'Thank God we don't know what's coming in the future, but God knows, and God loves us.'
"To see two coffins laid out on the altar is a sight we don't see too often in this parish,' said Parish priest Fr Damien O'Mahony, with the former Bishop of Cork and Ross, John Buckley, also in attendance.
'On a personal note, I recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of my ordination. I was doing a tally of the cards, and I came across this card. You might recognise the writing,' said the priest to the congregation.
"'Fr Damien, wishing you many more years of faithful service'. When I saw that, I got a lump in my throat, even reading it now.
'We've lost two people of faith, two people who have given so much to their families and the parish faith community as well.
'It was a sad call I got the other day. Sometimes when I get called, I don't know what's ahead of me, but they're together, and that's a nice image of them, together in life, and after life.
Fr O'Mahony thanked the families of the deceased for their support and help since the death of the pair, before finishing by saying: 'most of all, we thank Michael and Anne, for being Michael and Anne,' to a standing ovation.
Bishop Buckley concluded the Mass and offered his own memories of the couple.
Foul play has been ruled out in relation to the deaths of the couple, whose bodies were found at the foot of their stairs at around 5pm on Monday by a relative. They were formally pronounced dead by a local GP.
Michael and Anne O'Sullivan were laid to rest together at St Joseph's Cemetery in Little Island.