Ballina mourns a true icon

Ballina is morning the loss of a true icon following the passing of Mona Curry.

Mona, of Convent Hill, was aged 102, and hers was a life that was extraordinarily well lived.

An inspirational figure in the town, Mona’s talents for art and music were matched by her kindness, intelligence, and community spirit.

When former US President Joe Biden visited Ballina in 2016, he met with Mona and dubbed her ‘The Queen of Ballina’. It was Mona who designed the stunning stained-glass windows that feature at St Patrick’s Church in Ballina. She taught art at St Muredach’s College and shared with others her musical abilities and knowledge as a historian.

Mona played a leading role in the establishment of an orchestra in Ballina and brought many leading musicians to the area.

She worked for Murphy's as a bookkeeper for many years. Her administrative and numerical skills also saw her serve the same role for the Diocese of Killala, a task she continued into her nineties.

Mona’s deep faith and commitment to the Church saw her receive both the Papal Bene Merenti Medal and the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (For the Church and Pope) medal which is also known as the Cross of Honour - the highest honour that can be awarded to the laity by the Papacy.

She was also a pivotal campaigner for the restoration of Leigue Cemetery.

There have been scores of online tributes to Mona following the news of her death.

“A richly talented Ballina lady we have much to be proud of. I cannot but admire every brush stroke that so beautifully made alive the whole St. Patrick story depicted in her magnificent, stained-glass windows in St Patrick's Church. There is so much more besides. She contributed to Church, commerce, music, and art in the paintings she created,” read one message of condolence.

“Mona was a very intelligent, kind and inspirational lady. A proud Ballina woman who did so much for the town,” another remarked.

“Will always remember Mona each time I visit St Patrick’s Church and view her beautiful stained-glass windows designed to remind us of St Patrick’s arrival to our county, a brilliant artist and a beautiful lady to chat with,” read a tribute to an incredible lady.

"Many years ago, I worked with Mona in Murphy Bros, and I have happy memories of our time together. She had a God given artistic talent which she worked very hard to perfect. She will decorate heaven as she did the earth with her beautiful paintings,” stated another.

Mona will be sadly missed by her sister-in-law Winnie, her cousins Noel Acton, and Kevin Boshell, her adored nephews and nieces, grandnephews, and grandnieces, her many friends and devoted carers.

Requiem Mass will take place today (Tuesday) at St Muredach’s Cathedral at 1.30pm, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery.