Shock at sudden death of young Killeigh mother

The sudden passing of a young mother of two at her home in Western Australia on Saturday last has been greeted with huge shock and sadness in her native Killeigh and right across the wider Midlands region.

Orlaith Maddams (née Cleary), who was the only daughter of John and Mona Cleary from Gormanstown House, Killeenmore, passed away suddenly on Saturday last, October 4.

Her late grandparents, Jack and Mary Cleary, were the founders of Cleary's dairy farm in Killeenmore where they ran a hugely-successful dairy enterprise which was the precursor to what is now the global Glenisk yogurt brand, which is wholly-owned by members of the Cleary family.

Her mother, Mona, was a very highly-regarded art teacher in the Sacred Heart school for many years.

Aged in her early 40s, and the mother of two young sons, Hugo and Joff, the late Orlaith Maddams grew up in Killeigh and attended the Sacred Heart School in Tullamore, where she was fondly remembered this week by fellow students and teachers alike as being “intelligent, beautiful, kind and caring” and as someone whose stories and sense of mischief had brought “laughter and life” into class.

Other tributes recalled her passion for music, art, drama and dance, with one former Sacred Heart student describing Orlaith as being such a “kind, charismatic and graceful person” who was “absolutely stunning inside and out” and was one of the “most talented, hilariously funny and beautiful souls”.

Another tribute said she had brought “light and laughter” everywhere she went.

Having lived in London for a number of years, the late Orlaith Maddams made her home in Australia, where she lived in the city of Perth with her husband, Andrew and their young sons.

She was warm and generous in sharing her many talents with friends and family in her adopted home, just as she had done in her native Killeigh.

Orlaith is deeply mourned and fondly remembered by her loving husband Andrew and her two darling boys Hugo John and Joff Montague, her brother Garvan, her sister-in-law Sumindra, nieces Simran and Saoirse, her nephew Camran, her parents John and Mona and in-laws Pamela and John, her extended family and a wide circle of friends.

Her funeral will take place in Perth next week.

The service will be held at Norfolk Chapel in Karrakatta, Perth, on Friday, October 17. It will begin at at 7.30am (Irish time).

May she rest in peace.