Tributes paid to 'true lady' and 'devoted and loving' family person

A Roscommon GAA club has paid tribute to one of its stalwarts who passed away in recent days.

Philomena (Phil) Browne (née Toolan), Ballyglass, Lanesboro, Co Roscommon, formerly Drinane, Strokestown and Coventry, UK, passed away peacefully on the 1st February 2025, in the loving care of Sonas Innis Ree Nursing Home, Ballyleague. She was buried today following her Funeral Mass at The Church of the Holy Rosary, Ballyleague.

She was predeceased by her parents Jim and Margaret Toolan, her sister Eileen Shiel and son in law Michael Kelly. Phil will be forever missed by her devoted husband Jim, heartbroken daughters and sons, Helen (Kelly), Teresa (Ormsby), Joseph and Declan, son in law Steve, daughter in law Patricia, her adored grandchildren, Rebecca and Ruth Kelly, Stephen, Siobhan, Aisling and Liam Ormsby, Katie and James Browne, great grandchildren Lottie, Eala and Tommy, her sister Marion Gillooly and brother in law Pete Shiel.

In a post on social media, St Faithleach GAA Club said it was very saddened to hear of her passing.

“Phil was a true lady. Along with her husband, Jim, Phil would follow St Faithleachs far and wide. A very popular woman who would always greet you with a smile. Her presence will be sorely missed at St Faithleach’s,” the club said. “Phil is the grandmother of current Senior players, James Browne and Liam Ormsby and former St Faithleach’s and Roscommon player, Stephen Ormsby Jr.” It offered its deepest sympathies to her family.

It said that she was first and foremost a family person - a devoted and loving wife to Jim and a treasured mother to Helen, Teresa, Joe and Declan.

“She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and will be sadly missed by all her family and her many friends,” the club said in a moving tribute.

“Following her family’s move from Coventry to Ballyglass, Phil, Jim and family immersed themselves in St Faithleach’s Club. Jim became club chairperson and Phil was central to all that was happening within the club. She was a willing and enthusiastic helper, and her good humour and generosity endeared her to all. She was a keen supporter of club and county, and always made time to discuss the fortunes of both with everyone who shared her interest. She had great pride in the club’s achievements and her family’s contributions to our successes. This pride, though never boastful, but always with humility, probably reached its summit in Cusack Park, Ennis, in 2006, when her grandson, Stephen, was central to Roscommon’s victory over Kerry in the All-Ireland Minor Final. However, her pride in her family was certainly not confined to this one occasion, she always spoke fondly of each and every one of them.

“Beyond St Faithleach’s Club, Phil lead the Mentally Handicapped Association in the area for many years and, without her commitment and leadership, this organisation would certainly not have lasted the years that it did.

“As a further example of her caring nature, Phil was one of the first special needs assistants in the area. She worked in Ballyleague NS for a number of years and truly devoted herself to those in her care.

“To all who knew Phil, she will be kindly remembered as a loving family person, a loyal and jovial friend and one of whom you always felt better for being in her company.” 

Other local organisations such as the Cloontuskert Tidy Towns Committee and numerous individuals also paid tribute to her.