Widespread sadness and regret were caused by the passing in early 2009 of popular Cavan town resident Mary Ellen Carroll, formerly of 41 College Street. A native of Keadue, Ballyhaise, Mary Ellen came to work and live in Cavan town in the late 1930s. As well as being a deeply religious and family-orientated woman, she took great pride in her native county and loved nothing better than seeing the Breffni representative succeed on any sporting or cultural front, especially in gaelic football. She was a staunch Cavan follower and attended - alongside her late husband Packie - many of the Breffni Blues' major matches in Croke Park in the '40s and '50s, when Cavan were a real force at national level. Mary Ellen, who married Packie in 1941 but lost him tragically in an accident 20 years later, was a loyal follower of the Cavan Gaels club from its formation in 1957 and was never shy in offering a few prayers for their well-being when the town club were in action. She was also deeply proud of the many achievements of her son PJ at club and county levels over the years. Indeed, in tough times, Mary Ellen had kept together her family of three boys and two girls and it is this strength and fortitude in adversity that defines her best.