'Shining light': tribute to the founder of the University of Limerick's fashion department

A FOUNDER from the fashion department of the Limerick School of Art and Design (LSAD) was remembered as a ‘shining light’ and ‘amazing woman’ at her requiem mass.

Pam McCarthy passed away on Wednesday, October 30 at the age of 95.

She was described by Fr Tom Mangan as “one of nature’s gentle souls” who had “a wonderful vision for the future” at last Monday’s ceremony at the Church of the Assumption, Abbeyfeale.

Pam, together with tailor Niall O’Carroll, introduced the fashion department at LSAD in 1975.

Known to family and friends as “Piggy,” she was “a shining light all our lives,” said her great-nephew Brian.

In a moving eulogy, he described his great-aunt as ‘dressed so beautifully’, and always ‘going round Abbeyfeale in her little red wave, which she did until 2 or 3 years ago, probably in first gear all the time, with Nancy. give her directions.”

He paid tribute to Nancy, her lifelong friend, describing the pair as ‘two peas in a pod, as thick as thieves, like Bonnie and Clyde. Wherever you see Piggy, there is Nancy – the best friend,” and he added, directly to Nancy, “She loved you so much.”

He described Pam’s “unyielding sense of calm and tranquility” and explained how, after “a brief conversation with her, all our challenges and woes seemed to disappear.”

The first woman in her family to go to university, Pam studied teaching in Glasgow. “You could write a book about all her achievements,” Brian said.

He concluded the eulogy with a list of moving thank yous: “Thank you so much for always being there, thank you so much for all the babysitting, thank you so much for the constant lifts, thank you so much for the fashion advice, thank you very much thank you so much for being my best friend, and actually all of our best friends. May you rest in peace. I can’t wait to see you on the other side.”

Anne Melinn, former course director of the BA in Fashion Design at LSAD, said on RIP.ie: “My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Pam McCarthy on her passing. She was my educator, my mentor and a dear friend. She had such vision and strength in creating an amazing and successful fashion design course at LSAD…I am forever indebted to her. A wonderful, friendly woman, with a great sense of humor.”

Patricia Keilthy, also a former course director of the course, said: “Sincere condolences on the loss of an AMAZING woman. I had the pleasure of working with her and was her best friend for almost 40 years. May she rest in peace.”

“Her contribution to LSAD, Fashion Department was exceptional. She founded one of the most successful fashion departments, both nationally and internationally. It was my honor to partner with her on that adventure,” she continued, adding, “There are hundreds of graduates who have such wonderful memories of this little powerhouse of a woman. Rest in peace dear Pam.”

Pam, born in Bridgemount, Abbeyfeale, and former resident of Raheen, ‘did not enjoy the best of health in recent years’ and died on Wednesday, October 30, aged 95, under the care of staff at Milford Care Center.

Predeceased by her parents Dr. Phil and Mary, brother Dr. Seán and his wife Ann, and sister Philomena, Pam is “dearly missed” by her nieces Dr. Íde and Karen, cousin Martin Lucey, great-nephews and great-nephews Martina, Brian and Milly Lucey, James and Aisling Hicks, her lifelong friend Nancy, cousins, neighbors and friends.