RIP: Tributes paid to Offaly businesswoman who was a 'pillar' of her community
Tributes are being paid following the death of Mrs Nancy Dolan, a much-loved businesswoman and member of Clara community.
The late Mrs Dolan ran a public house side-by-side with her husband Tommy, a former member and chairman of Offaly County Council who passed away in 2000, for many years.
She was proud to celebrate 70 years in business in Clara recently with family and friends, having run a grocery story and milk round along with the pub business.
She was born and reared in Arden in Tullamore and came from a farming background. She worked as a legal secretary before marrying her late husband in 1956 and moving to her new home in Clara.
The late Nancy’s Funeral Mass heard that her greatest attribute was “her love and affection as a great mother to her family”. She also showered her grandchildren and great-grandchildren with love.
Her death notice on RIP.ie read: “Nancy passed away on September 25th 2026 peacefully at The Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore surrounded by her loving family. She is predeceased by her loving husband Tommy, her parents Mary Kate and Tom, brothers Luke, Paddy, Michael and Tommy and sister Mary (Boland). She will be sadly missed by her loving children Sylvia, Marguerite, Charlie, Dessie, Dervill, Jean and Orla, her 16 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, sons-in-law John, Martin and Colm, daughters-in-law Miriam and Fionnuala, Dervill's partner Marie and Orla's partner Brian, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends”.
Funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday, September 28 with burial aftewards in the monastery cemetery Clara.
She remained sharp of mind right up to the end and enjoyed puzzles, crosswords and reading, in addition to creative arts.
She also enjoyed the her involvement with her friends in Clara ICA, Clara Active Retirement and the Daycare Centre.
Leading tributes Clara GAA posted: “Clara GAA would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the Dolan family on the passing of Nancy.
“We offer our heartfelt condolences to her family, who have been an important part of our club over the years. May her gentle soul rest in peace,” the club said.
“Condolences to all the Dolan family on the death of your lovely mother and so sad, as an exile who only commutes to and from, to see another great pillar of Clara community pass on... ar Dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam,” wrote PJ Cunningham in condolences on RIP.ie.
She was described as “a lovely lady who will be sadly missed by all”.