She died surrounded by her family in intensive care on on Sunday, December 14, following a single vehicle collision last week.
Ms Keane, aged in her 70’s was the sole occupant of the car, involved in a road traffic collision which occurred on the N23, Lisheenbaun, Castleisland on Wednesday, December 10.
Since the news of her death was announced tributes have poured in for the Kerry woman who has been described as an inspirational woman who always kind to her customers at Den Joe’s family restaurant which has outlets in Killarney and in Castleisland.
Known locally for her involvement in St Mary’s Basketball club she has been lauded as both a player in her youth and more recently as a huge supporter of the club including her involvement in the setting up of their annual blitz.
Patricia along with Marie and Liz Sugrue and Ann Long and many more were behind the now famous blitz with Duke Donal O’Connor as their leader and it is around this time of year that she would be getting ready for the big event.
Donal remembers Pat as a very committed player and a great team member.
The late Patricia Keane-O’Connor, proprietor of Denjoes Takeaway Castleisland and Killarney.
Photo by Don MacMonagle
Today’s News in 90 Seconds – Tuesday, December 16
“She played schools basketball with St. Joseph’s Presentation Girls Secondary School and she stood out from there on. She played in the first ‘Blitz’ in The Astor in 1970 and I met her only last week and she was looking forward as much as ever to this year’s blitz as her grandchildren would have been playing with the various teams. Pat would always spent a lot of time at The Blitz and she often did the entire five days down there.”
Tributes online remember Patricia’s love of dancing and fun describing her as “joyful, beautiful lady and full of fun.”
“Your smile lit up a room your willingness to be their for others, who where in trouble even when you had your own you were an inspiration, and your kindness in your heart was a flickering light, our loss is now heavens gain,” said another tribute.
“She was a character with a heart of gold. A great person to meet and have a chat with whether it was at work or outside of work,” said another tribute.
Patricia of Tobermaing, Castleisland and late of 161 Upper Main Street ,Castleisland will be sadly missed by her missed by her loving family, Julette, Vincent , Denis and their father Den Joe, son-in-law Mark, daughters-in-law Bríd and Katie and her adored six grandchildren , Danny, Alannah, Lily, Jamie, Ryan and Lucy.
She will also be missed by her her aunt Nuala Flanagan (Tralee), nephew Vincent, nieces Nora and Mary, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, relatives, neighbours , many friends and her work colleagues at Den Joe’s Family Restaurant .
She was predeceased by her parents Vincent and Norrie, her brother Tim and sister-in-law Peggy.
She will repose at Tangney’s Funeral Home, Church Street, Castleisland, on Wednesday evening, December 17 from 5pm to 7pm.
Removal from her residence on Thursday morning, December 18 at 10.30am arriving to Castleisland Parish Church for Requiem Mass at 11am . Burial afterwards in Kilbanivane Cemetery Castleisland.
Gardaí have also renewed their appeal for witnesses following the road traffic collision which occurred around 11:40pm on December 10.
Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the N23 in the Lisheenbaun, Castleisland area between 11.20pm and 11.50pm are asked to make it available to investigating Gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Killarney Garda Station on 064 6671160, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station