Laois County Council HQ in Portlaoise to close in honour of 'magnificent colleague'

County Hall in Portlaoise and all Laois County Council offices will be closed to the public on Tuesday morning, August 8 as a mark of respect to late staff member Bridie Keenan.

Bridie Keenan (nee Quigley), late of Marian Avenue, Portlaoise, died Saturday, August 5, peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, in the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise.

Described as an "esteemed colleague and friend" Ms Keenan was an Assistant Arts Officer at the Council's Arts Office where she worked for more than two decades.

Apart from closing its offices on Tuesday morning for her funeral, staff will form a guard of honour at approximately 11.40 am to honour the deceased when the cortege makes its way to SS Peter & Paul Church past Áras an Chontae. County Hall will reopen at 2pm Tuesday.

Laois Arts Officer Muireann Ní Chonaill led tributes to her late colleague.

"We are very sad at the news of Bridie's passing. We will miss her greatly in the Arts Office, Laois County Council where she worked for the last 24 years.

"Bridie was a magnificent colleague and she was so kind and supportive to artists and groups. She was the first point of contact many people had when they contacted the Arts Office," she said.

Ms Ní Chonnaill extended her sympathies to her late colleague's family and friends.

"We send you our deepest condolences. Suaimneas síoraí dí," she said.

Predeceased by her parents and sister. Her death notice said that she is deeply regretted by her adored husband Tom, loving daughter Claire, sons Sean and David, her adored eight grandchildren, brothers, sister, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, work colleagues at Laois County Council, relatives and friends. 

Her remains reposed at Keegan's Funeral Home on Monday evening, August 7, from 6:30pm with rosary recital at 8pm. Removal from her home on Tuesday to arrive at SS Peter and Paul's Church, Portlaoise, for 12 noon requiem Mass. Interment afterwards in SS Peter and Paul's Cemetery Portlaoise.

Many tributes have been paid online at www.RIP.ie the deceased

The Funeral mass will be streamed on https://www.portlaoiseparish.ie/webcam/