B

Betty passed away peacefully on October 23, at her daughter Aisling's residence surrounded by her family, at the age of 93.
She led an incredible life filled with hard work, compassion, determination and fun.
Best known for her involvement with Children of Chernobyl Project, Betty brought the first group of Belarusian children to Killarney before setting up a Killarney branch of the charity.

She made 12 journeys to Belarus including her last trip six years ago at the age of 87, when she spent six hours in the back of a truck to reach her destination.This led to the Mill Road woman being afforded a Civic Reception by Killarney Town Council in May 2014, the highest honour a council can bestow on a town resident.

During his speech at the reception, the now retired Cllr Gleeson, in his capacity as deputy mayor at the time, highlighted the horror that unfolded at the nuclear plant in 1986.

“Those stories and accompanying images gave very clear expression to the reality that recovery would most likely never be possible if those afflicted had to remain in their native, devastated place,” he told the reception.

“One of the hearts most moved, not just to pity, but to dynamic action was that of Betty Crosbie. As a loving parent, Betty, you felt an empathy with the suffering children and felt an overwhelming compulsion to act positively for their well-being.

“There are today and every day bright eyes sparkling in a foreign land, sparkling with gratitude for life and for health thanks to your extraordinary generosity of spirit and thanks to your ability to inspire others to join with you in your crusade for a better life for generations of people who fell victims to a most terrible disaster.Truly can it be said that she had given hope and given life.”

Among her many achievements, she was a life-long member of the Fianna Fail political party, and was named Grandmother of the Year in 2016. Betty was once honoured by the Killarney Soroptimists as their ‘Person of the Year’.

“This is a big honour and not something we present every year,” said local Soroptimist President Teresa Irwin. “It is presented to a woman in the community who has done good. She was a wonderful woman and had great connections with the Soroptimists.”

Another achievement was the saving of Dinis Cottage. After the landmark tourist attraction fell into disrepair Betty was the first to open and run a café there. Her foresight at the time made sure the café is what it is today.

“In my lifetime I never met a woman who achieved so much,” said local businessman Johnny McGuire of the Mountain Meitheal. “She got things done – she did not just talk about them – she made them happen.”

She will be deeply missed by her daughters, Karie, Noelle and Aisling, her sons-in-law, Peter and John, sister Eileen, brothers Con and Derry, grandchildren, Sarah, Nick, Jason, Peter, Siran, Keelin, Seán and Abbie and great grandson Wyatt, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and her many dear friends.

Her requiem Mass took place on Tuesday morning and was followed by burial in Aghadoe Lawn Cemetery.