Glowing tributes paid to late Limerick teacher and boutique-owner

MUCH-loved teacher and Limerick city store owner Phil Hassett has passed away peacefully in the wonderful care of Riverdale Nursing Home, Ardnacrusha.

The “charming, elegant and joyful” Limerick woman is being laid to rest this Saturday, September 14. 

A former “very enthusiastic” PE teacher at Salesians Secondary School, Fernbank, and owner of former clothes shop ‘In Vogue’ in Thomas Street for 40 years, Ms Hassett is remembered warmly by all who knew her for her “beautiful smile and heart of gold”.

One person wrote: “Phil was a wonderful, bright and bubbly teacher. I really admired her as a teacher and a woman. May she rest in peace, beautiful lady.”

Another said: “Phil had a wonderful personality and was such a vivacious lady. Used to love calling to see her in her fashion home ‘In Vogue’ in Thomas Street many years ago. May she rest in eternal peace.”

READ MORE: Limerick students and apprentices to compete at national event

Others noted Ms Hassett’s “great sense of style”, with Celia Holman Lee of the Holman Lee modelling agency remembering Ms Hassett fondly in the fashion industry.

“I knew Phil most of my life. She had one of the most prestigious and fabulous shops in Limerick, which sold brands and labels from all over the world.

“As a young model I had known her and her fantastic store, ‘In Vogue’, in the heart of the city. We had millions of conversations about clothes and fashion and everything else - she was a dear friend of mine.”

Other condolences reference how Ms Hassett was a “beautiful dancer”, with an “amazing energy”. 

Celia Holman Lee continued by saying: “I used to do a lot of Irish dancing and Phil was a phenomenal Irish dancer. I will always remember after River Dance, I called into her, because I was passing her store all the time in town. 

“The two of us were talking about River Dance, saying ‘dear God, we wish it was us’.. It was a memory and a conversation that always stuck in my mind.”

While another person wrote on RIP.ie: “Fond memories of Phil and the most beautiful dancer she was. Condolences to Kitty and the extended family and Phils partner. May her memory be a blessing to you always.”

Heartwarming condolences spoke of Ms Hassett as having a “wonderful sense of humour”, with one person recalling her “broad welcoming smile, cheeky personality” and “a language of [her] own”.

Ms Hassett is sadly missed by her heartbroken sister Kitty Leahy, brother-in-law Bill Leahy, loving partner Stephen Coughlan, brother-in-law Noel Harris, sisters-in-law Nuala, Joan and Peggy, the extended Hassett, Harris, Lloyd and Leahy family, close friends Anna Booth, Mary Hann Toner and Patricia Hickey Townsend Mulcahy and all her friends, pupils and loyal customers.

Reposing at Thompson’s Funeral Home, Thomas Street this Friday, September 13 from 5:30pm to 7pm.

Funeral arriving at St. Munchin’s Church, Clancy Strand, on Saturday, September 14 for Requiem Mass at 12 noon followed by burial in Mt. St. Lawrence cemetery.