Mrs Donaghey was the dearest and the gentlest of creatures and greatly beloved not just of her daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren, but also of all who knew her and of generations of Meadow children.

Maureen was pre-deceased some decades ago by her loving husband Brian who had been Principal of Cloughogue Primary School.

This couple had the Meadow shop for over thirty years. Everyone who was reared in that wonderful estate remembers not just Brian and Maureen but all who worked in that ‘sweet shop’ through the ages – among others the sisters Patricia, Rosina and Carole McShane and Nan Wasson. 

In a moving tribute after the funeral Mass today, Chris, husband of daughter Cora-Anne recalled the time Maureen re-opened the shop on Christmas morning because Santa had forgotten to leave caps with the guns left as Christmas presents for two young Meadow boys! 

Maire mentioned her mother’s calmness towards the end.  “Mother’s all right”, she ( i.e. Maureen - as she approached her final hour) said. “No bother”.  These were among her final words.  So typical of this beautiful self-effacing lady, the last of a generation.  She looked as pretty and fair-skinned in death as she did in her prime, when first we knew her.

May the sod rest lightly.  

Maureen Donaghey will be long-remembered.