Mary Keane, the wife of playwright John B Keane, has died at the Bon Secours Hospital, Tralee, after a short illness. Mary was 86 years old and is survived by her three sons Billy, Conor and John, her daughter Joanna and 13 grandchildren.
The couple met at a dance which took place at the Listowel Races in 1949 and they married six years later.
Keane died in 2002 and credited his wife with his success.
Minister of State with Responsibility for the Diaspora and TD for Kerry, Jimmy Deenihan, expressed his condolences to the family and friends of Mrs Keane.
In a statement he said: “Mary was a very close friend of mine and will be dearly missed by many in the community. I would like to express my condolences to Mary’s children Joanna, Billy, Conor and John and to her grandchildren.
"Mary was a great support to John B throughout his career and he often credited her with being his greatest inspiration.
"Since John B's death Mary has continued to promote his work by attending new productions of plays all over the country.
"Mary was also a leader in the establishment of Áras Mhuire, a community nursing home in Listowel.
"Today we lost a wonderful woman."
Mrs Keane's body will repose at O'Carroll's Funeral Home in Listowel tomorrow, Sunday, between 4.30pm and 7pm before removal to St Mary's Church in the town.
Requiem mass is at 11.30am on Monday before burial at St Michael's Cemetery in Listowel.
