The death has occurred of:
Hugh DONNELLY
(Railway Court Omagh, formerly of Loughrey Terrace, Drumquin)
24 November 2024
The late Hugh’s (son of the late Hugh and Mary R.I.P. and brother of the late P.J. R.I.P.) sisters, Kate (Robbie), Breige (Pat), Maggie (Paul), Geraldine, Rosie (Kieran), Michelle (Russell) and wider family circle wish to express our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all those who sympathised and supported us at the unexpected death of our beloved brother, brother-in-law, uncle, granduncle and cousin.
To the managers Mairead Brogan and Alison Rafferty, Clare Loughrey (Hugh’s Key Support Worker) and the entire Support Workers of Railway Court, past and present, and Sean Hannon (Hugh’s one-to-one Support Worker) we express our deepest gratitude for the positive impact you had on Hugh’s life and the exceptional care you gave over the past 28 years. We were deeply touched by the outpouring of love and support from yourselves and the residents of Railway Court, Hugh’s extended family. Your condolences serve as a reminder that we are not alone in our grief and we thank you for being there for us and honouring Hugh’s memory with your kind words and actions. Also, to Shane Mullan (Hugh’s P.T.), the M.A.C.C.A. Centre, Strule Erne and Rosewood clinic where Hugh participated in a multitude of activities and to the taxi drivers whose services he used, we sincerely thank you. All of your hard work, dedication, patience and kindness made a huge difference to Hugh’s well-being by brightening his days and bringing so much joy into his life making it easier for us to know that he was happy, safe and comfortable, for this we are eternally grateful.
For the expertise and compassion of the staff on duty at Railway Court, the Paramedics and Ambulance crew who attended Hugh on his final day, we owe you a debt of sincere thanks. A special word of thanks to the nursing and medical staff of the A&E Department, South West Acute Hospital. We will be forever grateful for the dedicated care, kindness, compassion and dignity given to Hugh and our family and the pastoral care offered.
Our gratitude to the many, from near and far, who attended the wake, visited us at home to sympathise and support us, offered their thoughts and prayers, sent Mass and Sympathy cards, messages and letters of sympathy and support, shared the wonderful stories, anecdotes and tales, sent flowers and wreaths and supported us in so many ways, we express our heartfelt thanks. Our sincere gratitude to our kind families, neighbours, friends and local businesses, to those who assisted during the wake, brought gifts, provided food or helped in any other way. We are indebted too to all those behind the scenes, those who provided the taxi services for the staff and residents of Railway Court enabling them to pay their respects, Gerald and Shane for repairing the laneway, those who provided parking, the bus, marquee, lighting, tea-making facilities, stools, the bus driver Liam and those who ensured that everyone got parked safely.
Sincere appreciation to those who paid their respects as the funeral cortege made its way to the chapel, the staff and residents of Railway Court who arranged a Guard of Honour and those who joined them, attended the Funeral Mass and burial as well as those who joined us via webcam.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Fr Canning for his pastoral support and the most beautiful heartfelt Requiem Mass which celebrated Hugh’s life in a warm and personal manner. A very special thanks to Fr Peter McCawille for assisting in celebrating the Funeral Mass, to Mgr Peter O’Reilly for administering the last rites, to Fr Paul Fraser, Fr John Gilmore and Sr Geraldine McAleer for calling to the house, their prayers, spiritual guidance and support during this very difficult time.
A special thank you to James McShane and Joan McCrystal for the beautiful singing and music and those who participated in the funeral mass, the Gift Bearers, Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Clare Loughrey (Hugh’s K.S.W.) who read the most beautiful Eulogy and the Sacristan for preparing the chapel.
To Charles and Ann Lynch, the Funeral Directors who carried out the funeral arrangements with great efficiency, dignity and respect and to their assistant Martin Donnelly, we express our sincere thanks. Thank you to the gravediggers for preparing Hugh’s final resting place, Drumquin Social Centre Committee for their kind use of the hall after the funeral, those who provided the food and to John Donnelly and his team for serving the refreshments.
As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this as a token of our huge appreciation and deepest gratitude. The holy sacrifice of the Mass will be offered for your intentions.
Of all the special gifts in life
However great or small,
To have you as our Brother
Was the greatest gift of all
Forever loved by the Brown, McCusker, Skelton, Scallon, McCrossan and Roberts families and his extended family in Railway Court. Omagh, Drumquin and Ederney.
“His vibrant spirit will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
We will always be grateful for the person he was.”
Hugh’s Months Mind Mass will be celebrated in St Patrick’s Church, Langfield on Saturday, 21 December 2024 at 6.30pm. Everyone is welcome to Drumquin Social Centre afterwards for refreshments.
May Hugh’s gentle soul rest in eternal peace