Frances Dowling lived a happy life in St Canice’s Parish, surrounded by her family

The death occurred at St Luke’s Hospital on September 21 of Frances Dowling (85), 5 Park View Drive, Kilkenny. Her family were by her side.

Frances was born in 1938 to Michael and Pauline Conroy, 8 Rothe Terrace. One of nine children, she attended both Presentation Primary and Secondary Schools before going on to work in her father’s fish shop, Conroy’s in Irishtown, Kilkenny. There she would spend all her working life alongside her father and brother, Michael.

Conroy’s was a busy shop and here Frances was a familiar and friendly face to customers who, under one roof, could get fish, rabbits, eggs, fowl, duck fat, lard, goose fat, dripping and honey.

Across the road from Conroy’s was The Mayfair Ballroom - this is where Frances met her husband, Kevin Dowling. They married in September 1960 and from then on Frances devoted her life to her four children and 14 grandchildren.
Her grandchildren were her pride and joy and she enjoyed years of doing school runs and babysitting.

Frances lived all her life happily and contentedly within the environs of St Canice’s parish. She was a daily mass-goer and, over the years, worked at many small jobs within St Canice’s church including Eucharistic Minister and church cleaner, helping wherever she could.

Musicals
She was a lover of music and musicals and in her youth took part in many of the local productions. In later years she was a member of the church choir, where she had many good friends. Frances was a keen supporter of, and volunteer with, Dicksboro GAA club and followed the fortunes of both the ’Boro and Kilkenny hurling teams throughout the years. She had a real love of clothes and fashion and was a regular in many shops in Kilkenny where she was always welcome and fondly regarded.

A quiet, gentle and caring woman, Frances Dowling was well known and loved within the locality where she had lived all her life. The large crowd which turned out to say a final goodbye to Frances was a testament to her popularity. She will be greatly missed by many.

Frances was predeceased by her brother Joe, and by her sisters, Chris, Joan, Phyllis and Carmel. She is survived by her daughters Michele, Jean and Caroline; her son Mark; her grandchildren, Mike, Danielle, Lauren, Sarah, Zara, Ciara, Kevin, David, Tom, Mark, Rachel, Kate, Joe and Lucy; brother Michael; sisters Pauline and Mary; daughter-in-law Livvy and sons-in-law Michael, Richie and Eamon.
Solas na bhFlaitheas ar a hanam dilis.