THE BEST wife, mother, grandmother and friend has sadly joined her dad in heaven - the greatest hurler of them all - after an illness bravely borne. The late Audrey Lennon (née Mackey) had requested that mourners at her funeral Mass wear bright colours as she loved her style and worked in Todd’s in years gone by. This theme continued during the gifts ceremony as the great Mick Mackey’s green Limerick jersey, Audrey's son Mark's All-Ireland Minor jersey, her daughter Clodagh's All-Ireland Intermediate jersey and her late son Jason's All-Ireland Féile na nGael jersey all were brought to the altar. They represent Audrey’s love of hurling, her family tradition and the pride she had in their achievements. READ MORE: 'An old school gentleman': Tributes pour in for lifelong Limerick Civil Defence volunteer Clodagh gave a moving tribute at the end of the Mass in Ss John and Paul's Church in Shannon in which she said her mother hoped she would be reunited with those she loved - Jason, grandson Adam and her mam and dad, Kathleen and Mick. “She hoped she had left love behind,” said Clodagh. Audrey should be in no doubt. She grew up in Ardnacrusha, loved going to the dance halls with friends and family, enjoyed jiving and worked in Bolgers, Todd's (now Brown Thomas) and Shannon Airport. Many of her former colleagues paid their respects at the removal, and Mass. Husband Eric was the love of her life and they had three children - Clodagh, Mark and the late Jason. Clodagh said they were so lucky growing up to be surrounded by such wonderful families in Cronan Lawn, Shannon. “Aud was always in the thick of it, drawing chalk courts on the street for Wimbledon, teaching double-dutch skipping, soccer, rugby and hurling matches on the green. “She was multi-talented, winner of the mothers’ race for school sports days, the street hairdresser, jersey washer for every team we were involved in and could whip up a mean fry for half the street. We had great times,” said Clodagh. The ancestral home of Castleconnell was always close to her heart and the unveiling of the Mick Mackey statue, erected by Ahane GAA Club in 2013, united the generations. Mick and Kathleen’s five children - Paddy, Michael, Greg, Audrey and Ruth - were all there that day (pictured below). Ruth and Michael are now sadly the last two still with us. Doolin was Audrey and Eric’s second home where more memories were made. “Doolin was her happy place and she continued to try to get back at every opportunity. They had a great escape with a wonderful group of friends. You have all been so good to her during her illness,” said Clodagh. She said her mum’s pride and joy were her grandchildren who she loved, was very proud of and spoiled. One of the gifts to the altar was a Lego camper van to represent all the Lego sets she gave to her grandchildren and to remember Bucky, their first camper van. Audrey loved to shop, said Clodagh, who joked that “her and that tablet were dangerous”. “She loved her style, loved a bit of bling, always had the bit of jewellery on. She was still shopping in the hospital,” said Clodagh. It sums up how Audrey bravely faced her diagnoses, overcame the setback and stayed as positive as she could. On behalf of the family, Clodagh thanked the doctors and nurses, support staff in Ward 6B, Fr Tom Ryan who along with Fr Tom Whelan said the funeral Mass, country music star Clodagh Lawlor who sang beautifully in the church, Gretta for the flowers and all the family and friends who were a constant support. Audrey left so much love behind. May she rest in peace.