THERE is deep sorrow in the local community following the death of beloved Letterkenny woman, Noelle Crumlish.

Ms Crumlish, of New York, and formerly of 64 Lower Main Street, Letterkenny, sadly passed away earlier this week.

Her remains are reposing at a funeral home in Glendale, Queens, with cremation to take place later today.

Born on a Christmas Eve to Andy and Liz Crumlish, Noelle was one of six children in the family.

In her early years, she attended Scoil Mhuire gan Smál before progressing to Loreto Convent, where she was a very good student. There, she formed very close friendships with local women Ita Blake, Ruperta Tracey and Moya Mellot.

Sport was a passion of hers, especially basketball, which she played frequently during her youth.

After school she secured her first permanent job with AIB in Falcarragh.

Although she enjoyed her time there, Noelle resigned after a year and a half and set her sights on the Land Down Under, Australia.

After returning from her travels, she accepted a position with AIB in Castlebar, where she worked until deciding to relocate to New York, a popular move among locals in the 1980s.

Noelle met her husband, who was a Kildare man, and together they had two children, Jack and Hannah.

Over the years, she held a variety of roles from working with a construction company owned by a Milford native to lecturing at a university for nearly two decades.

Although surrounded by many Irish connections in New York, Noelle regularly returned to her hometown to visit family.

She also played host to many local visitors during their adventures to the ‘Big Apple’.

She will be sadly missed by her brothers John and David Crumlish and her sisters Andrea Leonard, Freda Halako and Marette Mackey.