Published: Wednesday, 11th November, 2009 5:00pm

Loreto Simpson - a woman who made a difference

Loreto Simpson who passed to her eternal reward on Wednesday last in Cavan General Hospital was an indomitable woman who left a huge legacy of selfless giving to her adopted community in the town of Cootehill and surrounding catchment.

In the wider area, she is associated in the public mind with the energy and vibrancy that is associated with Cootehill Chamber of Commerce but she also contributed hugely to schools and community organisations in Cootehill.

A native of Strokestown, Co. Roscommon, Loreto came to Cootehill in 1971 as a teacher at St. Aidan's Comprehensive School. A commerce graduate of University College Galway, she joined the staff of St. Aidan's as a teacher of Business and German. It was the era when Ireland was embracing the world of industrialisation and commercial development. Loreto with her training as a teacher of Commerce would soon apply her undoubted intelligence and skills for the benefit of Cootehill. She became a member of Cootehill Chamber of Commerce in 1974 and it was the commencement of over three decades of commitment that yielded very tangible fruits for her adopted town.

Loreto's association with this area preceded her coming to Cootehill. She attended St. Louis Convent Secondary School in Monaghan for her second level education and her achievements in the Leaving Certificate were amongst the highest ranked in the country of that particular year.

The new St. Aidan's Comprehensive, which opened a few short years before Loreto's arrival, was one of the models for the development of second level education in Ireland at that time. Loreto brought her energy and enthusiasm to the life of the school and quickly earned the respect of staff and pupils, building up life long friendships with both such was her concern for the wellbeing of others.

She wasn't a person who believed in sitting back or letting others do the work. This was recognised in her membership of Cootehill Chamber of Commerce of which she was elected treasurer in 1976. She held the position until 1978 when she was chosen as secretary, a key position in the life of the organisation. In the succeeding 30 odd years, she was to occupy all the principal officer posts in the Chamber serving as president (1982-84), treasurer ('85-'88), secretary ('89-'90), joint treasurer ('94-'98), secretary ('99-'08) and PRO up until the time of her death. In fact she attended the October AGM despite being ill.

As was the position in her work as a teacher, Loreto also quickly earned the respect of Chamber members. Efficient and honest, she was a strong advocate for the correct implementation of the appropriate protocols in relation to the functioning of the chamber and is credited with cementing the chamber as a vibrant organisation.

Indeed many of the chamber members were former students so there was a deep mutual respect that formed the basis of a positive working relationship, which benefited Cootehill in both business and social community terms.

Former Chamber President, Malachy Magee, refers to Loreto's interest in the wellbeing of her students after they left St. Aidan's and had gone on to third level or further education.

She was proud of Cootehill Chamber of Commerce and through the Chamber was actively involved with the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) and other State agencies in efforts to develop the industrial and commercial life of Cootehill. Her incisiveness and depth of thought enriched the content of various proposals drafted by the Chamber and the different town development plans prepared for Cootehill over the years reflected her input.

Her work through the chamber in lobbying for a new enterprise centre for Cootehill is well known and the success of the entire enterprise centre project, via Cavan County Enterprise Board, in the generation of new business start-ups is seen as a huge local achievement. The publication of the Chamber newsletter printed in colour and giving the latest information on local events such as the St. Patrick's Day parade, the Christmas festive season and items of local business interest were also her creation. She was also a strong advocate of the Vodafone/Cootehill chamber awards in honouring local initiative and her work with Chambers Ireland enhanced the standing of the Cootehill Chamber in a wide range of inter chamber endeavours.

However, Loreto was not just concerned about business development and her main driving desire was the initiation of social action that would benefit people from all walks of life. The betterment of the people of Cootehill was very much at the heart of her thinking and she gave stirling service to many other bodies and organisations such as Drumlin House, the Holy Family school, Cavan Pastoral Centre and the ONLY or No Name club, which she helped establish for young people. One of her proud achievements was in working with others to secure a €100,000 grant under the P & R programme for a playground for Cootehill.

Another former Chamber president, John Joe Lennon, who also worked with Loreto while she was secretary, described her as a very sincere person.

"She was straight down the line; what you saw was what you got. She will be a big loss to the community. You couldn't say enough good about her she was so genuine," he said.

Preaching the homily at her funeral mass in St. Michael's church, Cootehill, on Friday morning, Fr. Liam Kelly (a former teaching colleague in St. Aidan's Comprehensive) described Loreto as a giver. She spent her time caring and looking after others, he said. In that respect there were three groups she was deeply concerned about: they were her family (sisters Carmel and Fidelma and brother M.J. niece Orla, nephew Dara and grandnephew Daniel); the second group were the friends she built up around St. Aidan's Comprehensive both staff and past pupils while the third group involved her work with the community in Cootehill such as Chamber of Commerce, the Holy Family School and Drumlin House.

"She was one of the most unselfish of people; she spent her life helping others," said Fr. Kelly.

Father Owen Collins, PP, was the principal celebrant of the Requiem Mass. Other concelebrants were Frs. Gerry Kierans, Paul Casey, Liam Kelly and Kevin Donohoe. The ceremony reflected Loreto's lifetime work in Cootehill. Interment was in her native Roscommon.

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