'Highly respected ' - The late Maggie Curran (99) laid to rest in Creeslough

There was widespread regret on hearing about the death of Margaret (Maggie) Curran (née Gallagher) of Ards, Creeslough,  in her 100th year at the Lakehouse Nursing Home, Portnablagh, recently.

She was predeceased by her husband, John, and her siblings. Maggie was a highly respected member of the local community and this was reflected in the large attendance at her wake and Funeral Mass.

A member of the Gallagher family, Maggie was born on August 8 1926 at a time of great turmoil in the country. It was just after the War of Independence and the Civil War and poverty was common with people dying in their own homes from hunger. Also, neighbours were in some cases not talking to each other.

Maggie went to school in Massinass and at a young age she went to work doing the laundry for the Capuchin Friary at Ards. She also played Camoige and played for the Donegal County team.

She met her husband John at a dance in the Creeslough Hall and the couple were married in 1953. They went to live in Clydebank in Scotland for a number of years before returning home to live in Ards and rear their family.

Maggie was very fond of her family and extended family and her neighbours and the Ards area, especially the Friary, towards which she had a lifelong affiliation.

She kept a vegetable patch, enjoyed bingo and was an avid follower of sport, enjoying watching GAA, snooker and darts on the TV. Following the death of her husband John in 2003 Maggie continued to live in Ards and became a familiar figure sitting at her window watching the cars and people going up and down the Ards Road before going to live in the Lakehouse Nursing Home in Portnablagh over eight years ago.

Maggie was a sister of Bridie Gallagher and it was very fitting that, at the end of her Funeral Mass, Maggie’s grandson Daniel Doak sang the Homes of Donegal, a song made famous by Bridie.

The deepest sympathy of the community is extended to her children, Grace (Tommy), Margaret (James), Jim (Kim), Bridget (John), Mary (George), Rose (Andy), grand-children, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.

Her remains repose at her late residence for waking. Her Funeral Mass took place in St. Michael’s Church, Creeslough, on Wednesday,  January 28, at 11am. The Celebrant was Fr  John Joe Duffy, the Con-celebrants were Fr. Martin Doohan, Fr  Seamus Murphy and Fr Michael McKeever; also present was Br Jeremy OFM Cap, representing Ards Friary.

Maggie was laid to rest afterwards in Doe Cemetery.
PMcC