Compassionate lifework of Sr Magdalene recalled at her funeral in Donegal Town

Mourners at the funeral Mass of Sr Magdalene Moore in Donegal Town were told: “ We would be letting her down if we didn’t continue what she begun."

Those were the words of chief celebrant, parish priest Fr James Gillespie at the Mass in St Patrick's Church on Thursday afternoon, July 3.

Sr Magdalene was instrumental in setting up Donegal Hospice and was a founding member of Solace Cancer Support Centre in Donegal Town. She also spent much time in the homes of those affected by cancer, being a calm and supportive presence to patients and their loved ones. 

READ NEXT: Late Sr Magdalane - ‘a beacon of compassion, warmth and unwavering kindness’

The beloved nun passed away on Tuesday, July 1, having suffered a stroke just a week earlier. Her death led to a huge outpouring not just of grief, but of profound gratitude for the countless ways in which she touched the lives of people in Donegal. 

Fr Gillespie was joined by concelebrants Fr Paddy Dunne, Fr Patrick McBrearty, Fr Francie McAteer, Fr Kieran McAteer, Fr Willie Peoples, Fr Pearse Mullan, Fr Seamus Daggens, Fr Francis McLoone, Fr Adrian Gavigan, Fr Vincent Finnegan and Fr Lorcan Sharkey.

The celebrant welcomed and extended condolences to Sr Magdalene’s Sisters of Mercy family, as well as her personal family to whom she was known as Mary. He also welcomed those watching online, particularly her brother Mikey watching in Galway. 

Fr Gillespie said: “In her life she dedicated herself for over 67 years in the service of God and his people as a Sister of Mercy. She was also a dedicated nurse for 65 years.”

He said that words which had been used to describe Sr Magdalene in the days following her death included dedication, care, commitment, compassion, gentleness, kindness, joy, laughter, good fun, strong, humble.

“Her passing has come quite suddenly and quickly for us, in particular for her family and her religious family,” said Fr Gillespie.

“Just over a week ago she spent the weekend in her beloved Solace Cancer Support centre which she helped found. She was as usual, all go. 

“But then the following morning, things changed and she was rushed to hospital suffering from a serious stroke that she was never going to recover from, passing away a week later. 

“We have lost a family member, a friend, a special person,” he continued. “Many a person and family here in this parish and elsewhere knew her care and compassion, particularly when it was needed by those she met with illness - people experiencing cancer, people in need of support in all different types of ways. 

“Since 1990, for the past 35 years, Sr Magdalene has given great service to God and people in this area.

“We are going to miss her presence with us, her smile, her charm. But at the same time, in our sorrow, we give thanks to God for gifting us such a person as she was.”

Mourners heard that Sr Magdalene, or Mary Moore, was from County Galway, born 88 years ago. She entered the Mercy Order in Ballyshannon in 1958. 

Fr Gillespie said: “I read this morning that she initially trained to be a hotel manager in Sligo but then met a nun, Sr Peter, who obviously had a great impact on her and encouraged her to go to Ballyshannon to join the Mercy Order.”

She trained as a nurse in Belfast and Manchester, and her work in the profession during the 1970s and ‘80s included 11 years in, as it was known at the time, Letterkenny General Hospital.

Those gathered were reminded that Sr Magdalene spent the last 35 years in Donegal Town, working in hospice care and cancer support. 

She played a major role in founding the Solace Centre which was opened in 2007.

“It is,” said Fr Gillespie, “a place for those with cancer to find emotional and practical support, information, complementary therapies to help them through their sufferings, and a listening ear over a cup of tea.”

He said that while her life was one of practical care for those in need, those in illness, as a nurse and a carer, it was rooted in faith that she lived, practiced and believed. 

“God was her rock, her anchor and inspiration in all she did,” said the celebrant.

He reminded people that Sr Magdalene had a light, fun side too.

“She was a person who was very much down to earth, someone who enjoyed the craic, someone who had a good laugh, who enjoyed the company of many people,” said Fr Gillespie. “She had a quick smile, and humour was a big part of her life as we all witnessed.”

The celebrant reflected that while Sr Magdalane spent her life in service to others and achieved a great deal, she remained humble.

“She was always reluctant to take credit for what she achieved,” he said. 

“I remember last November, we had our remembrance service in the Solace Centre, and I asked her if she was going to say a few words as well during the service, thinking she would. 

“She answered me saying, ‘No, no. I’m just taking a back seat here and doing nothing.’

“But as the evening went on, you knew where the power was in the room, the one everybody looked to, the one everyone went to, the one everyone got advice from. 

“She didn’t like the limelight but in the background she got the work done, and did what was needed without seeking glory or taking recognition to herself.”

On the day prior to the funeral, Sr Magdalene’s remains reposed in the Mercy Convent in Ballyshannon and were then brought to St Patrick’s Church at 7pm. Queues lasted long into the late evening as people came in their droves to pay their respects and to say a quiet thank you for the care, compassion and support she had provided. 

At the funeral Mass, Fr Gillespie told mourners: “All who turned up here today and yesterday evening, and yesterday in Ballyshannon, you by your presence tell us something of the positive impact she has made on the lives of this community.

“There is reason for us to be sad today as we say goodbye to her in this life. But there is much too to give thanks to God today for in the life of Sr Magdalene and the blessing she was to many throughout her life. 

“We will miss the blessing of her presence with us but she has left us with much to remember her by. 

“She has left us much to take example from as well, as we continue our path of life. She gave us a great example of care, of service to one another, to God, and how to live the faith we profess. 

“The example of Christian living she gave us is something we need to continue so that others too can benefit. By following her example of living, we can still, through that, remain close to her. 

“We would be letting her down if we didn’t continue what she begun, and left us with, the work she started.”

Before Mass concluded, Sr Magdalene’s nephew Joe addressed the congregation.

He thanked Letterkenny University Hospital and the Sisters of Mercy for their care and support, and he thanked everyone who had participated in what he described as ‘this beautiful Mass.’

“I want to tell you about this woman that you all knew as Sr Magdalene,” said Joe.

“We only knew her as Auntie Mary.

“My father, her brother had cancer and died at the age of 43. She was living in Montana, USA at the time and she took leave of absence and came home to support us as a family. 

“She stayed for a few years. She helped us physically on the farm. Emotionally, she was our counsellor, advisor and some days she was a listening ear to listen to our worries. And once you talked to Auntie Mary, you knew everything was going to be ok.

“She returned to the US for a few years and came back around 1990 and that’s when she made her home and her wonderful life in Donegal. She loved this place. 

“She would come and stay with us four or five times a year and we loved having her. 

“As we grew older, our friends and future husbands and wives met her, and they too warmed to her as Auntie Mary. As time went on and children came along, they knew her as Auntie Mary. 

“On behalf of our family, thank you Auntie Mary for everything. We loved you so much. Thank you, thank you.”

As Sr Magdalene’s remains left St Patrick’s Church, volunteers from the Solace Cancer Support Centre, undeterred by the squalling wind and rain, walked with her as far as St Joseph’s Avenue where the centre is located. 

The funeral then proceeded to Clar cemetery where Sr Magdalene was laid to rest in the Sisters of Mercy plot.