‘Noreen was a very gentle, kind-hearted, considerate, warm and caring lady’

Tributes have been paid following the passing of Councillor Noreen McGarvey, 52, who passed away peacefully in the wonderful care of the staff of the Donegal Hospice on Thursday.

She will be sadly missed by her daughter Amy, parents Susie and Seamus, brother Declan sisters Debbie and Colette and her wide circle of extended family and friends. 

Her remains will repose at McGlynn’s Funeral Home Dungloe (F94ND68) on Saturday, December 30, from 12 noon until Rosary at 8pm and again on Sunday from 12 noon with Rosary at 8pm.  

Dungloe native, Noreen’s Funeral Mass will take place on Monday, January 1, at 11am in St Columba's Church Acres with interment in Belcruit Cemetery. 

The former Tánaiste and the chairperson of the Fianna Fáil party in Donegal, Mary Coughlan, told RTÉ’s Raidió na Gaeltachta that Noreen went about her business quietly and diligently for the party over many years. Coughlan said Noreen worked hard for the people of the area and had been in attendance at the last Dáil cheantar meeting which was held in Letterkenny.

“She made every effort for her community. She was well respected by everyone,” adding that it was a pity that Noreen didn’t get time to do more as she showed great ability as a politician. 

Noreen was elected to Donegal County Council in 2019 and was nominated to the position of Cathaoirleach of the Glenties Municipal District in 2020, having been nominated to the position by fellow councillors Anthony Molloy and Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig.

“I'd like to offer my sincere condolences to Amy and her family on the passing of their beloved, mother, sister, and daughter, Councillor Noreen McGarvey, who passed away after an extremely brave and courageous fight,” Independent Councillor Mac Giolla Easbuig said.

“Noreen served her community with passion, truth, and integrity and was determined to make her community a better place. Losing a  colleague in a small, beautiful community like ours is extremely difficult, but Noreen was also a close friend which makes her passing absolutely heartbreaking.”

Fianna Fáil Councillor Anthony Molloy added: “I was saddened to learn of the death of Councillor Noreen McGarvey. She was a great friend and colleague and was a great help to me when elected to the council in 2019. My condolences to Amy, Seamus, Suzie, the family and extended family. Noreen was a true community person and a proud Burtonport woman and I’m so privileged to have known her and to have worked with her. Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dhíl.” 

The current Cathaoirleach of the Glenties Municipal District, Michael McClafferty, said Noreen was one of the most genuine people he had ever worked with.

“Noreen was a very gentle, kind-hearted, considerate, warm and caring lady, who always had a smile for everyone. She paid great attention to detail and was razor-sharp on her points. She stuck to what she believed in while always fighting the corner of her constituents.”

Pat the Cope Gallagher, whom Noreen worked with in his various roles as TD, Minister and MEP, described her as “an exceptionally talented and gifted person.”

“It is with heavy heart and profound sadness that we learned of Councillor Noreen McGarvey’s passing,” he said. “Noreen was an exceptionally talented and gifted person, with an unconquering passion for life and living. She excelled in her work, she had a natural zest for drama and poetry; in sport she was a keen golfer. She had so many natural talents and abilities and a personality to match, this is what made her the great personality we all knew so well.

“Noreen worked closely with me for almost the past 20 years, initially as an activist in numerous elections and more laterally for 12 years as a parliamentary assistant. She had a massive work ethic and determination to succeed in her duties and responsibilities. She was an extremely hard worker and committed community person with a dedication to GAA as well as other organisations. Her talents knew no limitations nor did her drive or energy.

“She was very well known for her numerous partaking in Scór throughout the county. She was extremely talented in drama and plays, and would often draft her own sketches for community events. She also devoted her time to passing on the skills of golfing to the next generation, often practising with them in her downtime. Noreen succeeded in getting elected in the 2019 Local Government Elections, and despite health issues gave a one hundred per cent commitment to her duty as a local councillor for the Glenties Municipal Area. She was a former Cathaoirleach of the Glenties Municipal District and present Leas Cathaoirleach. She demonstrated astute leadership qualities, along with a trojan work ethic and a natural affinity for representing the electoral area - her best years were yet to come and her loss will leave a massive void in local government in west Donegal. 

"Noreen was an active member of Donegal ETB along with numerous other Donegal County Council committees; she always pursued a proactive role in developing and representing her communities. She was deeply involved with the Donegal Parents and Friends Association and played no small part in the provision of 12 state-of-the-art housing units in Dungloe for people with Special Needs.

"As Noreen had a fondness for poetry, let my final words of tribute be from Ragindranath Tagore’s poem, Peace my heart.

“Let the last touch of your hand be gentle like the flower of night. Stand still, o beautiful end, for a moment, and say your last words in silence. I bow to you and hold my lamp to light you on your way.”

Minister Charlie McConalogue paid tribute and, like many others, complimented Noreen’s tireless work for her locality down the years. 

"Noreen was elected as a councillor for the Glenties Electoral Area in May 2019,” he said.  “She also worked in Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher's constituency office for many years, and was a central part of the fabric of the Fianna Fáil party in Donegal,” the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine commented.

"Noreen bore her illness with fortitude and continued to represent the people of west Donegal, despite her health challenges. Noreen's passing is a huge loss to local politics and the Fianna Fáil party. 

The Port-Burtonport organisation said they were “deeply saddened to hear of Noreen's passing. Noreen worked tirelessly for this community and will be deeply missed. May loving memories bring you all strength and comfort today and always. Rest In Peace Noreen.”

The Doochary Development Committee added: “We are extremely saddened to hear of the passing of councillor Noreen McGarvey, a great supporter of Doochary Development. We are so grateful to her for all the help which she provided to us. She was the loveliest of ladies and a pleasure to work with.”

CLG An Clochán Liath said: “Is le mór-bhrón a chuala muid faoi bháis Noreen McGarvey. Is minic a tháinig Noreen le cuairt a thabhairt ar ár mbaill sa chlub óige agus bhíodh sí ag insint scéalta dóibh. Comhbhrón leis an teaghlach ar fad.”