By Diarmaid Doherty
THE legacy of deep kindness which she left behind was the endearing theme at Saturday morning’s requiem Mass for Nancy Russell (née Black), whose death took place last week.
Nancy, of Roughpark in Letterkenny, was a very popular neighbour and friend to many and those who attended Saturday morning’ Mass in the Church of the Irish Martyrs celebrated the love and loyalty she showed to all in her life.
The loss of her daughter Martina in the Creeslough disaster in 2022 was an extremely dark time for Nancy and the Russell family and Martina’s memory was also celebrated during Saturday’s funeral Mass.
Among the symbols of Nancy’s life brought to the altar by some of her grandchildren included Martina’s memorial card which Nancy had placed under her pillow each night.
Reading out the meaning of each symbol, Nancy’s daughter Kathryn said this act showed that the bond between a mother and child is eternal.
She said the family home had always been a place of comfort, laughter and endless kindness.
“Love begins by taking care of the closest ones. These are the ones at home.” Kathryn said.
“Mammy lived this love everyday. She didn’t need big words or grand gestures, her love was in the little things. A warm dinner, a gentle touch, a quiet prayer, a steady presence.”
The symbols brought to the altar, Kathryn added, were just some examples of the love her mammy gave, the life she lived and the legacy of kindness she left behind.
They also included a packet of chocolate biscuits to remember how anyone who ever visited the Russell family home never left without a warm cup of tea and a biscuit or two.
Nancy’ kind hospitality, warmth and wonderful sense of humour were also mentioned in his homily by Fr Ciaran Harkin who said he got to know Nancy in recent times when visiting her at home.
“Those cruel days surrounding the death of her daughter Martina in Creeslough, they spoke of a woman determined never to give up on life but to be a source instead of support and love to her grandchildren in their grief, in their loss,” Fr Ciaran said.
He said Nancy had a very quiet, unassuming faith. In her final illness, when she received the sacrament, she received it with great reverence.
“In her own quiet, unassuming way, through her kindness, her love, her gentleness, Nancy Russell became the person God meant her to be,” he said.
“This morning we thank God for the gift of Nancy’s life.”
Following Mass, burial took place in Conwal Cemetery.
Nancy will be deeply regretted by her loving family, son, Michael, daughters, Marie, Amanda and Kathryn, daughter-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchild, brothers Billy, Alex, Joseph, Dessie, Gerard and Thomas and extended family.
She was predeceased by her husband, Mickey, daughter, Martina, and sisters, Joey and Eileen.
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