Nóra O’Donnell
By Tommy Curran
The death took place at her home on Monday week last of Nóra O’Donnell, Knockastolar, Bunbeg. She was originally from Craughyboyle, Dungloe and was a member of the McSorley family.
She was born on August 17, 1932 and was a daughter of the late John and Bridget McSorley. Nóra attended the local national school and had a great love of the Irish language and believed strongly in the importance of keeping Ireland’s cultural heritage alive for generations to come.
She met her future husband, Danny Chonaill O’Donnell, a native of Knockastollaer in Glasgow where she worked in a grocery shop. They came home to marry in the old St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Church, Annagry on July 26, 1955.
Nóra was a woman of gentle nature and quiet strength and her faith guided her throughout her life. She was a regular and devoted attendant at Mass and drew comfort and strength from prayer, especially in times of difficulty.
Her faith was evident in her kindness to others, her generosity of spirit and her acceptance of life’s joys and sorrows. Among the items representing her life brought to the altar were her rosary beads and holy water.
She worked hard throughout her life. She spent some years working in Matt Bonner’s Shop in Bunbeg. She also spent a few years working in the Tobar Centre on the Gaoth Dobhair Industrial Estate. Her main pastime was going to bingo. She had many friends and loved meeting up with them for a chat.
Nóra’s remains reposed at her daughter Ann’s home in Magheragallon and her funeral Mass was celebrated in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Dunlewey. She was laid to rest afterwards in Magheragallon cemetery. The celebrant of the mass was Fr. Brian Ó Fearraigh and he was assisted by Fr. Brendan Ward and Fr. Seán Ó Gallchóir.
Nóra was predeceased by her husband, Danny Chonaill, her parents, John and Bridget Mc Sorley, brothers, Michael, Seán and Tony and sister, Máire McShane.
She will be sadly missed by her daughters, Bríd Hickey and her husband, John (Upper Cotteen), and Ann Mc Gee and her husband, Martin (Magheragallon) and son, Connie (Knockastolar), grandchildren, Eugene, Martin, Noreen, Patricia, Pól and Máire Ann, great-grandchildren and extended family and friends.
