Limerick community mourns death of husband a week after his wife was laid to rest

A LOVING couple won’t miss one Christmas together after the husband passed away a week after his beloved wife was laid to rest.

Last Friday, Jimmy Gibson, of Clancy Strand, Limerick city died unexpectedly. A week earlier, the funeral of his constant companion Ena Gibson took place on Thursday, December 8 after she too went to her eternal reward suddenly.

Despite being in their elder years, they were both in good health.

Jimmy’s funeral Mass took place this Wednesday in St Munchin’s Church with burial afterwards in Mount St Lawrence (extension) Cemetery.

Parish priest of St Munchin's and St Lelia's Parish, Canon Donal McNamara said it was very tough on their sons Jason and Fr David Gibson, parish priest of Rockhill and Bruree, extended family and many friends.

“It is very sad, just a couple of days before Christmas,” said Canon McNamara, who extended his sympathies to the family.

But while Canon McNamara spoke of the grief of losing both parents so close together at Christmas time, he also said there is a sense of comfort in knowing that Ena and Jimmy were together again.

“I’d say he would have been lost without his wife. It was going to be so tough for him on his own. I’d say he died of a broken heart. I called in to visit him on the Thursday to see how he was,” said Canon McNamara, who knew Ena and Jimmy well.

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The parish priest said they attended Mass every week where Jimmy would wheel Ena down in a wheelchair which she was confined to for many years following a road traffic collision.

“They were always very friendly, supportive, kind and generous towards the church - very good faith-filled people,” said Canon McNamara.

This generosity of spirit was reflected in their respective death notices.

Donations, if desired, were asked to go to St Munchin's Church Restoration Fund.

May they rest in peace together.