By Dionne Meehan
A WOMAN who died following a collision in Buncrana last week was remembered for her deep and gentle faith at her requiem Mass yesterday.
Rose Byrne (87), of 68A Mill Brae, Buncrana was one of two pedestrians involved in a collision with a car on Main Street, Buncrana on Tuesday, January 14.
Ms Byrne was seriously injured in the collision and was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital for treatment but sadly passed away on Sunday, January 19.
Family, friends and neighbours gathered in St Mary’s Oratory in Buncrana yesterday to say their final goodbyes.
At her requiem Mass, mourners heard how Ms Byrne was the second of six children born to John and Annie Gallagher.
From Newtowncunningham originally, the family moved numerous times, inching their way towards Inch Island.
First, Ms Byrne worked as a nanny to the McIver family in Derry before taking up employment in their chemist shop in Burnfoot.
In 1962, she married a young teacher in the area called Thomas.
Soon, six children, 16 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren followed.
Chief Celebrant, Very Rev Francis Bradley said Ms Byrne was everything a wife, mother, granny and great-granny should be.
“She was the real deal,” he said.
“A great cook, creative baker, a world class knitter and a heart which only ever leaked with love.
“She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren almost as much as they adored her.
“She has left them an abiding legacy of good example, which they are following, and would do well to keep following all throughout their lives.”
Ms Byrne loved baking. She baked apple tarts, buns and made trifles every Saturday.
“She was a happy woman,” Fr Bradley said.
A woman of deep and gentle faith, Fr Bradley spoke of her great devotion to St Anne, the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandmother of Jesus Christ.
“She led her family in faith to see the value of prayer and belief in God,” he said.
“Even when tragedy befelled herself and Tommy, and their family with the death of Thomas, despite her own deep grief and the pain of loss, which only a mother can feel, she put on a brave face and kept the focus on everyone else.
“Even on Tuesday last, as she was driven to Letterkenny, in time, more seriously ill than she appeared to be, she blessed herself going past Burt Chapel, the graveyard and the chapel in Newtown.
“Her faith was sound.”
Interment followed the Mass in Burt Cemetery.
Ms Byrne is the beloved wife of Thomas and much loved mother of John, Valerie McMackin, Stella Lynch, Dermot and Emer Porter.
She is the loving sister of Adeline Browne, Brendan and Martin Gallagher.
She is predeceased by her loving son Thomas and brothers Jim and Joe Gallagher.
She is deeply regretted and will be forever missed by her loving husband, sons, daughters, sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her wider family circle, friends and neighbours.
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