Marie Keane (née Lynch), mother of former Ireland and Manchester United footballer Roy Keane, has passed away in Cork following a long illness. She died at St Anne’s Ward in Marymount University Hospital, surrounded by her loving family, according to a death notice published on Rip.ie.
Marie was predeceased by her husband Maurice (Mossie), who died in August 2019, as well as her brother Pat, her niece Estella, and her nephew Thomas. A devoted mother of five, she is survived by her children Denis, Johnson, Hilary, Roy, and Pat. She will be deeply missed by her sisters Ina, Annette, and Josephine; her brothers Jack, Leo, Michael, and Noel; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; daughters-in-law Linda, Theresa, and Mary; extended family, neighbours in Carhoo, Rathpeacon, and many friends.
Her remains will repose at O’Connor Bros Funeral Home on North Gate Bridge on Monday evening from 6pm to 7pm, with prayers at 6.45pm. Her Requiem Mass will take place at 11am on Tuesday at the Church of the Resurrection in Cork, followed by burial at St Catherine’s Cemetery in Kilcully, Co Cork.
Marie shared a particularly close bond with her son Roy. In 2022, he posted a selfie of the two of them on Instagram with the caption: “The Only Boss I listen to.”
She and her late husband Mossie enjoyed a long and loving marriage spanning 57 years. Speaking at Mossie’s funeral Mass, his nephew Paul Murphy recalled how the couple first met. Mossie was instantly taken with Marie when he first saw her at his friend Pat Lynch’s home, where she was busy cleaning under the kitchen table. Their romance quickly blossomed, and at a local dance shortly afterward, Mossie made his intentions clear. As Murphy recounted: "Mossie sized up the opposition, made his move and yer man got blown out."
He added: "The charming original Keano married Marie on August 10 1963. Last Saturday was their 57th wedding anniversary."
The couple raised their five children in Mayfield during challenging times, always managing to provide and support their family. In the 1990s, they relocated to Rathpeacon, Co Cork.
Marie and Mossie were proud supporters of Roy throughout his career, attending many of his biggest sporting moments. They were also present for significant milestones in his life, including when he received an honorary degree from UCC and was awarded the Freedom of Cork City.
