MOVING tributes have been paid to Nóra Doherty (92), Cotteen, Derrybeg who was laid to rest in Magheragallon Cemetery over Christmas.
Affectionately better known as Nóra Joe, she died at her home on Christmas Eve.
Speaking during her Requiem Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Derrybeg her neighbour, Fr. Seán Ó Gallchóir described Nóra as a hard worker throughout her life and a valued friend to so many people. He said Nóra was born in Stranacorkra and she spent years hired out in his home helping his mother care for himself and his seven siblings who were all under the age of ten at the time.
Fr Seán described Nóra as a wonderful person, a hard worker and an excellent neighbour.
In the autumn of 1961 she married Jimmy Doherty and after their marriage she moved into Jimmy’s home located across the road from Fr. Seán’s home at Cotteen. Three girls and a boy were born to them but Nóra got a terrible blow in 1975 when her husband, Jimmy died aged only 58 years.
When the children were reared she secured work as a cleaner and Fr. Seán described her as a ‘super cleaner’.
Down through the years she worked as a cleaner in Derrybeg National School, the Gaoth Dobhair Golf Club at Magheragallon, Mabs office in Derrybeg and the offices of the Gaoth Dobhair Credit Union. She also worked in other houses including Teach Mháire Ned and Teach Joe.
Nóra Joe Doherty, Cotteen, Derrybeg pictured left who died on Christmas Eve pictured with her neighbour, the late Maureen Frank McGinley who passed away in May 2017. Photo: Tommy Curran
Fr. Seán said Nóra had a great devotion to the Virgin Mary and had walked under her shadow throughout her life. She was very devoted to Mass and praying the rosary.
She made pilgrimages to a lot of holy sites and travelled many years with the Cairde Mhuire Pilgrimage to Lourdes, and also made trips to Medjugorge, and Knock Shrine. She also loved travelling with Mangan Tours. She loved going to bingo sessions and walking the beach in Magheragallon with her good friend, Madge Collum.
Unbeknown to her family she took driving lessons when she was in her 50’s and she passed the test on her first attempt. She enjoyed life and lived it to the full and loved the craic and the banter.
Her remains reposed at her home on Christmas Day and on St. Stephen’s Day. Her concelebrated Funeral Mass was in St. Mary’s Church, Derrybeg on Friday December 27.
The main celebrant was Fr. Seán Ó Gallchóir and the concelebrants were: Monsignor Kevin Gillespie, Administrator of the Diocese, Fr. Colm Ó Gallchóir, P.P., Killybegs, Fr. Brian Ó Fearraigh, P.P. Gaoth Dobhair, and an Dr. Ró Oirmh. Pádraig Ó Baoighill former P.P., of Gaoth Dobhair.
The lessons were read by her grand-daughters, Christine and Orla. The prayers of the faithful were read by Séamus Gerard, Maria, Jonathan, James, Eiméar, and Nathan (grandchildren).
Gifts were brought to the altar by her daughters Martina and Bríd. The soloist was Paula Diver Gillespie and she was accompanied on guitar by Pat Duffy. She sang the sad ballad ‘Thíos Cois na Trá’ as the remains were leaving the altar.
Nóra was predeceased by her husband Jimmy, sister Margaret McAlinden, Lurgan and brother Liam McGinty, Dunlewey.
She will be sadly missed by her daughters; Bríd Harkin and her husband, John, Stranacorkra, Ann Reynolds and her husband, Paul, Upper Dore, Martina Doherty and her husband, Georgie, Cotteen, her son, Séamus and his partner, Bridie, Cotteen, grandchildren, Jonathan, Maria, Christine, Jamie, Orla, James, Eiméar, Séamus Gerard, Naoise, Lúca, Amber, Nathan and Liam and great-grandchildren, relatives and friends to all of whom deep sympathy is extended.
– Tommy Curran
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