North Cork town was 'blessed to count Jenivie as one of our own’

Local people in a North Cork town have said they are devastated at the death of a cafe owner who moved to Ireland more than two decades ago to work and saved up to open her own business.

Jenivie Dagpin came to Fermoy from the southern Philippines 21 years ago, working as a cook in the kitchen in Fermoy Hospital until she had saved enough to open Jeni’s Café on McCurtain St.

A gifted baker, the cafe quickly became a popular haunt for locals who came to regard Ms Dagpin as a friend.

Ms Dagpin, who would have been 51 next month, passed away on Sunday in Cork University Hospital.

Noel McCarthy, Fine Gael TD for Cork East, said Ms Dagpin had been a great friend.

“Jeni canvassed for me in the general election and the local election.

“I first met Jeni when I was a councillor and she approached me about planning for her cafe, and we’ve been friends ever since,” he said.

“I was devastated to hear the news of Jeni’s passing. In her time in Fermoy, she made many, many friends, and she will be sorely missed in the town. My deepest sympathies to all her family at this awful time.”

Kind and generous friend 

Juliet Barnes, who is originally from the Philippines, said Ms Dagpin had been a kind and generous friend.

“I am so happy to have had her as a friend since the first days she came to Fermoy.

“It’s just such a shock to hear she has passed away,” Ms Barnes said.

Claire O’Connor, former public relations officer with the Fermoy Musical Society, said Ms Dagpin made the town better for being in it.

“She was a very kind and good person, and her family are very decent people. It’s a tragedy,” she said.

Gráinne O’Connor, who knew Ms Dagpin well, described her death as “a very sad loss for Fermoy”.

“I will miss Jeni so much. Her wonderful smile, her warm welcome in her cafe or on the street, her upbeat, positive attitude,” she said.

“Jeni was all about our community. She was always one of the first people to contribute every year to the Fermoy Christmas Lights fundraising campaign and always on board to support local events and initiatives by sharing her gift as an exceptional baker.

“I was fortunate to know Jeni and Fermoy was blessed to count her as one of our own.”

Devastating blow 

Mike Lyons of Lyons’s Pharmacy on McCurtain St said the news had been “a devastating blow” for the town.

“We’re all so saddened on the street, we’re all in shock. She was such a lovely person and she worked so, so hard. Her cafe was beautiful, it was just a really nice, family friendly place to go,” Mr Lyons said.

“Our hearts go out to Jeni’s whole family. It’s so tragic, and they’re so far from home, but in another sense Fermoy is also their home and we are all thinking of them at this sad time.”

Ms Dagpin's Requiem Mass will take place on Saturday morning at 11am in St Patrick’s Church, Fermoy, with burial afterwards in Kilcrumper new cemetery.

Ms Dagpin is survived by her husband Rony, her children Jeron, Rojeniel, Christian Rojen, and Roine-Nyvie, and her sister Maria Jesyl Cristoven.