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St Catherine's Dominican in Newry was packed to capacity today, 8 December for the Funeral Mass of Fionnuala Hartigan who died 5 December at Evora Hospice.
Fionnuala's remains were carried into the church, past a Guard of Honour comprising of pupils from St Patrick's College Banbridge, where the much respected teacher taught for 27 years, becoming Vice Principal in recent years. Ballyholland GAC players also lined the street to pay respects to the family who are so involved in the club.
A spokesperson for St Patrick's College paid tribute to the teacher on social media "Since 1998, Fionnuala taught, served, and led the pupils and staff of St. Patrick’s with ferocious passion and unyielding loyalty. A teacher of Business and ICT, she was a dedicated educator and a compassionate role-model.
"Her entire career was defined by her unwavering, child-centred approach. Fionnuala believed deeply in the potential of every young person and worked tirelessly to ensure their well-being and success were at the heart of everything we did.
"As a vice-principal, her commitment to creating a positive, vibrant, and inclusive learning and working environment was unparalleled.
The impact of Fionnuala’s loving presence and selfless leadership has undoubtedly touched countless lives over these last twenty-seven years, and her loss will undoubtedly be felt deeply throughout our community for many years to come."
The Requiem Mass was celebrated by Fr Patsy Mullholland, Loughguile with assistance from Fr Andrew McMahon PP, Seapatrick Parish and Fr Des, Chaplin at St Patrick's.
In his homily Fr Mullholland spoke of how important family was to Fionnuala. "Fionnuala and Ciaran were a very close couple, a couple who filled each other's lives with great purpose, value, happiness and contentment, and a couple who were each other's strength and support through all the ups and downs, joys and sorrows of life's journey."
He added that her wider circle of neighbours and friends will remember her as a very warm, bubbly, caring, sociable person. A very friendly person who was very outgoing, always full of fun, crack and banter and a gifted organiser.
Fionnuala's teaching career started off in St Columban's Kilkeel in 1997 before she joined St Patrick's College Banbridge in 1998 where she was appointed Vice Principal in recent years.
Fr Mullholland said "Fionnuala's teaching was very important to her. She derived great satisfaction from her work and dedicated herself to it 100%. First and foremost, her teaching was about her students, and she worked exceptionally hard to provide them with many positive, enjoyable learning experiences.
"In preparation for her lessons there were many late nights at the kitchen table, at home, the laptop open and the iPad going. But it was just so important for her to give of her best, and as her students grasped new concepts and deeper understanding of the subjects she put before them, it just was all so worthwhile for her."
He added "She also very much enjoyed working with all her colleagues, and over the year, built up many good friendships which she valued and appreciated, and she always looked forward to that opportunity to socialise with these friends from school and other good friends from outside of school as well."
Fr Mulholland recalled the last time they spoke and of the great gratitude she had. "she talked to me about how grateful she was for her blessed life. She had really appreciated that God had given her a wonderful life, and she was very grateful for all the people who enriched her life, especially her family, her friends, her students, her teaching colleagues and she talked about how grateful she was for all the opportunities God gave her that made her life so enjoyable. It was a gratitude that sprung from a genuine and sincere faith in God and a gratitude that spoke about how important faith was for Fionnuala."
Following the Funeral Fionnuala was laid to rest at Monkshill Cemetery.
Newry.ie extend condolences to her husband Ciaran, son Eoin, daughters Orla & Kate, parents Raymond and Patricia, sister Orla and brother Declan and her extended school family and many friends.
