The funeral of Caroline McGinley aged 47 who died suddenly in Woodside, New York on the 7 January took place on Saturday last, January 17.
Though she passed away thousands of miles from home she was brought back to her beloved Gaoth Dobhair for burial in Magheragallon cemetery by the sea.
A daughter of Packie Owenie and Kathleen (née Doherty) McGinley, Derrybeg she was born on July 31, 1978.
Her return home was met with quiet heartbreak and deep sadness. The church was filled to capacity, a testament of the impact she had made in her short life.
Many had followed her journey to New York with pride, admiring her courage seeking opportunities, never imagining that her story would end so soon.
Her Requiem Mass was celebrated in St. Colmcille Church, Cnoc Fola on Saturday. Classmates from her years at Pobal Scoil Ghaoth Dobhair formed a guard of honour outside the church, while members and players of CLG Ghaoth Dobhair formed a guard of honour at the playing fields at Magheragallon.
The celebrant of the Mass was Fr. Brian Ó Fearraigh and he was assisted by Monsignor Kevin Gillespie, Fr. Brendan Ward, Fr. Seán Ó Gallchóir and An Sagart Pádraig Ó Baoighill.
The Mass was deeply moving and Fr Brian spoke gently of a young woman whose warmth and kindness travelled with her wherever she went.
“We gather in sorrow and sadness shaken by the suddenness of Caroline’s death,” he said.
“Her life at 47 years was taken in the full bloom of her youth.”
He recalled how Caroline was gifted in sport, playing basketball and Gaelic football and was on the Pobal Scoil Ghaoth Dobhair team which won an All Ireland title.
Fr. Brian said that there was something special about those days when her dad Packie stood on the sideline as manager, proud of his daughter that played with heart and determination.
“She gave herself fully whatever she turned her hand to,” he said.
“That same generosity she had was with her throughout her life.”
The funeral heard how before moving to work in Dublin, Caroline worked for some time in Teach Campbell, Magheraclogher and in Pete’s Pub straight across from her home in Derrybeg.
She moved to work in New York in 2005. Customers were drawn to her warmth and kindness and her ability to listen without judgement.
Her family was everything, Fr Brian added.
“She was formed by love, surrounded by love and now she returns to love itself”.
Caroline is is survived by her loving parents, Packie and Kathleen McGinley, her siblings, Adrian (Deirdre), Pádraig (Tamara), Máire and John and her four beloved nieces, Kayleigh, Ciara, Aoife and Kaia, whom she adored.
She will also be deeply missed by her many friends, customers, and all whose lives she touched.
– Tommy Curran
