THE great respect and affection for the late Councillor Noreen McGarvey was reflected in the huge attendance at her funeral in St Columba’s Chapel, Acres, Burtonport on Monday morning, filling both the church and the community centre.
Family, friends, neighbours, work colleagues, fellow councillors and many figures from across the political spectrum gathered to pay their respects to the councillor who died in the Donegal Hospice on Thursday surrounded by her loving family.
Work colleagues from Caisleáin Óir, friends from Belcruit Golf Club and the Maghery Band formed a guard of honour as her funeral cortège passed into the chapel.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin was represented by his aide-de-camp Commandant Claire Mortimer.
Chief celebrant Fr Pat Ward described the late 52-year-old councillor as “a woman who wore her faith like an old coat”, telling the congregation she was an active participant in her local church and to the forefront of the church choir for three decades.
He spoke of how she loved to make people laugh and to see them smile.
This was reflected in a poem read at the end of the Mass by her daughter Amy.
Her words reduced many to tears as she read “If love alone could have saved you – you would have lived forever”.
Fr Ward spoke of the great bravery and dignity with which Noreen carried her illness which was first diagnosed seven years ago. He said she didn’t like to worry people and spoke little of her illness.
“She didn’t want people to look at her with sadness. She wanted to continue to live, laugh and to love and that is what she did,” he said.
Fr John Joe Duffy, Fr Brian Ó Fearraigh, Fr Sean Ó Gallachóir and Fr Matt McInerney concelebrated the Requiem Mass with Fr Ward.
Amy thanked the vast number of people who had helped in so many different and important ways.
A guard of honour of her fellow council members, former elected representatives and staff from the council followed the funeral cortège from St Mary’s Hall to Belcruit Cemetery where Cllr McGarvey was laid to rest.
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