A Life on Two Wheels: Kildare Community Mourns Marie Heavey, 82, Killed in Cycling Tragedy

An 82-year-old woman who died after being struck by a truck while cycling in Co Kildare will be laid to rest on Saturday, as her community remembers a woman who dedicated her life to helping others.

Marie Heavey (née Kaye) was cycling on the outskirts of Monasterevin on Monday when she was hit by a truck on the Rathangan Road just before 10am. She was rushed to the Mater Hospital in Dublin, where she later died.

Ms Heavey, who lived on the Cowpasture Road in Monasterevin, was a beloved figure across the town. For decades, she was a constant presence on her bicycle, a symbol of her independence and her commitment to the community she called home.

A Life of Service and Community

Tributes have poured in for Ms Heavey, with friends and neighbours recalling a woman whose life was defined by good deeds. At the Monasterevin Community Centre, Jason Doyle and Enda Ryan described her as someone who spent years supporting charity work and community causes.

“If it was raising money for anything, Marie was at it. If there was a community event, she would always be through the door,” Mr Doyle said.

Ms Heavey was also well known at the Church of St Peter and Paul, where she would sell fundraising lottery tickets. On Saturday, she will return to that same church for her funeral mass.

“Heaven’s Gain is Monasterevin’s Loss”

One mourner wrote on RIP.ie: “Marie was a lovely lady who always brought a smile to everyone around her. Heaven's gain is Monasterevin's loss.”

Long-time friends Joan and Mick Lovern said Ms Heavey called to them every week for a chat, often arriving on her bike. Ms Lovern recalled her friend’s warm, spirited nature.

“She lived on the Cowpasture Road and would come on the bike. She went everywhere on that bike. She was extremely good to her neighbours and supported everything in the town,” Ms Lovern said. “She was known the length and breadth of the town, and everything she did was community-based.”

Ms Lovern added that if her husband was sitting in his armchair when Ms Heavey called, she would put him out of it and say: “That's my chair.”

“At the Very Heart of Our Centre”

In a post on social media, Monasterevin Daycare paid tribute to Ms Heavey’s decades of support.

“On behalf of the Monasterevin Daycare Committee and all our staff, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to the Heavey family on the sudden passing of Marie. She was at the very heart of our centre for many years. Her presence, kindness and friendship meant so much to everyone, and she will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.”

Funeral Arrangements

Ms Heavey's remains will repose at her residence on Friday afternoon, August 14, from 2pm with rosary at 8pm. Removal will take place on Saturday morning, August 15, at 10.20am, arriving at St Peter and Paul's Church Monasterevin for requiem mass at 11am. Funeral afterwards to St Evin's Cemetery Monasterevin.

Ms Heavey is predeceased by her husband, Pat, a local builder who died in 2011. She is survived by her three sons.

Who was Marie Heavey?

Marie Heavey was an 82-year-old widow from Monasterevin, Co Kildare, known for her lifelong dedication to charity work and community causes. She was an avid cyclist and a familiar face at local events and fundraisers.

What happened to Marie Heavey?

Ms Heavey died after being hit by a truck on the Rathangan Road in Monasterevin on Monday, August 10, 2026. She was taken to the Mater Hospital in Dublin but succumbed to her injuries.

When is Marie Heavey's funeral?

Her funeral mass will be held at St Peter and Paul's Church in Monasterevin on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at 11am, followed by burial at St Evin's Cemetery.