ELAINE Therese Banahan (nee Conley) died peacefully at her home, Moortown House in Navan, Co Meath, on April 30th.

Born in Ridgefield, Connecticut, on March 23rd 1935, she was born into a prominent family, whose descendants were from Irish/German stock.

Her father Richard Conley was a businessman, being the proprietor of Outpost Nurseries which covered over 2,000 acres.

Elaine had an adventurous spirit and, after college, travelled extensively throughout Europe. During her travels she met her future husband, Percy Banahan, while visiting friends in Chapelizod, Dublin. Elaine and Percy enjoyed a long-distance transatlantic courtship for a number of years.

She worked as a sales representative and with Readers Digest before assisting her father in real esate work. She later trained as a Montessori teacher and found this her true calling, teaching in Montessori schools in both the USA and in Ireland.

In 1962, Elaine set sail for Ireland where she married Percy and settled in Rathcoole, Co Dublin. They were blessed with four children - Joseph, Michael, Elizabeth and John.

Percy passed on his love of horses to Elaine which she embraced wholeheartedly. She became an active member of the Meath Hunt Club and an accomplished equestrian on her trusty cob Lady Jane.

Elaine and Percy moved from Rathcoole to several different homes in Navan before settling in Moortown House in 1981, where they bred thoroughbreds. From a very small broodmare band they bred and raced, among others, the Group 1 winners, Super Tassa and Hong Kong Horse of the Year, Military Attack.

Rugby, gardening, baking and painting were also among Elaine’s varied interests.

She became an active member of Opus Dei in the 1980s and remained true to their teaching until her death.

Elaine enjoyed life to the fullest and was happiest surrounded by family and her 10 grandchildren. A great occasion was celebrated on August 2012 when all their family and friends gathered to commemorate their 50th wedding anniversary at Moortown House. Percy died in March, 2014.

She sustained a long illness with pulmonary fibrosis with the grace and patience which characterised Elaine’s entire life.

She had many wonderful friends and caregivers that supported her during this time with prayers, encouraging words and thoughtful gestures.

Elaine will be greatly missed by family and friends. She is survived by her four children, two sisters and 10 grandchildren.

Her funeral took place at St John the Baptist Church, Kilberry, and Gibbstown Cemetery, followed by a gathering at Moortown House.