Derry Death Notices - Thursday, April 2, 2026

The following deaths have occurred:-

• Martin Burke, 17 Creggan Heights, Derry

• Andrew Drew Clarke, 90 Ballycastle Road, Coleraine

• Stacey Dillon, Kilrea

• Noel Hawthorne, 55 Mallory Park, Eglinton

• Russell Clarke Hutchinson, 222 Drumcroon Road, Coleraine

• Margaret Jackson, Riverview Terrace, Derry

• Sheila Miller (née Quigley), Derry

• John Palmer, 31 Moneyhaw Road, Moneymore

• Elizabeth (Lily) Rankin (née Johnstone), 11 Ardnashee, Derry

• William (Billy) Smyth, 4 Railway View, Upperlands

Martin Burke, 17 Creggan Heights, Derry

It is with deep sorrow and great sadness that we announce the passing of Martin Burke, suddenly at his home on March 30 2026. Late of 17 Creggan Heights. May he rest in peace. Beloved son of the late Margaret and Leslie. Devoted brother of Rosaleen, Marie, Nonie, Irene, John, Bobby and the late Leslie. A much loved uncle to all of his nieces and nephews. Deeply regretted and sadly missed by all of his wider family circle and friends. The wake house will be strictly private. Martin’s Funeral Service will take place in St. Mary’s Church, Creggan on Saturday, April 4 at 10.00am. Burial will take place immediately afterwards in the City Cemetery. Martin’s Funeral Service can be viewed live via the link: https://www.churchservices.tv/creggan. St. Anthony Intercede For Him. Our Lady Of Lourdes Intercede For Him. All Enquiries to Mr. Kieran Connor, McClafferty Funeral Directors, 02871262823.

Andrew Drew Clarke, 90 Ballycastle Road, Coleraine

The death has occurred of the late Andrew Drew Clark, March 30 2026, peacefully at the Causeway Hospital, Coleraine, 90 Ballycastle Road, Coleraine, the only son of the late Mary, dearly beloved father of Neill and David. dear father-in-law to Faye and Karen, loved and adored granda Drew to Beth, Jack, Freya, Olivia, Elise and Zac. Service of remembrance in Murdock’s Funeral Home, 2a Windsor Avenue, Coleraine on Friday, April 3 at 11.00am followed by interment in Agherton Cemetery, Portstewart. All donations to Marie Curie c/o Ivan Murdock and Sons 31 Bushmills Road, Coleraine. "May he rest in peace"

Stacey Dillon, Kilrea

It is with deep regret we announce the passing of Stacey Dillon (Kilrea), Suddenly, beloved daughter of Sharon (née Quinn) and the late Enda Dillon, stepdaughter of Charlie Agnew, and dear mammy of Kyle, John Paul and Brihanna. Stacey’s wake will commence at her Uncle Barry’s home, 66 Larchfield Gardens, Kilrea on Thursday from 1.00pm to 10.00pm and on Friday from 10.00am to 10.00pm. Funeral from above on Saturday at 11:15am for 12noon Funeral Service in St Mary’s Church, Drumagarner. Interment afterwards in adjoining Churchyard. On her soul sweet Jesus have mercy. Deeply regretted by all the Dillon, Quinn and Agnew families. Family flowers only, donations in lieu if desired to Aware NI, c/o Dempsey Funeral Directors, Kilrea. 02829540226.

Noel Hawthorne, 55 Mallory Park, Eglinton

The death has occurred of the late Noel Hawthorne, March 31 202,  Peacefully at Foyle Hospice, (surrounded by his loving family) dearly beloved husband of Florence, much loved father of Danielle and Jade, loving father-in-law to Cameron and Ryan, adored granda of Grace, dearest brother of George, Victor, Betty, Jim and the late Billy. Service of Thanksgiving for his life in his late home, 55 Mallory Park, Eglinton on Friday, April 3 at 11.00am followed by burial in Burt Presbyterian burial ground. Family Home strictly private (please do not attend if not feeling well). Family flowers only, donations in lieu, if desired (cheques made payable) to Foyle Hospice c/o, Foyle Hospice, 61 Culmore Road, Derry, BT48 8JE. Will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his family. “Peace is yours, memories ours”

Russell Clarke Hutchinson, 222 Drumcroon Road, Coleraine

The death has taken place of the late Russell Clarke Hutchinson, March 30 2026 (suddenly) at his home, 222- Drumcroon Road, Coleraine, much loved dad of Victoria (Dylan) and Alex, devoted granda of Harrison, beloved son of the late Mary and Robin, dearest brother of Gary, Sonya and Drew, devoted uncle of Rebekka and Glenn and a dear friend and brother to many. Funeral from his home on Saturday at 11.30am for service in Ringsend Presbyterian Church at 12.00noon followed by interment in the adjoining burying ground. Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu if desired for the British Heart Foundation or NI Air Ambulance c/o Ivan Murdock and Sons 31 Bushmills Road, Coleraine. Deeply regretted by his loving family and entire family circle.

Margaret Jackson, Riverview Terrace, Derry

It is with deep regret we announce the passing of Margaret Jackson, March 31 2026, peacefully at Foyle Hospice, surrounded by her loving family, formerly of Riverview Terrace, loving daughter of the late James and Margaret, beloved sister of the late Eileen and Jim and a cherished aunt and great-aunt. Loved and sadly missed by family and all those who knew her. Margaret will be removed from W J O'Brien & Son's Funeral Home, 110 Clooney Road, Eglinton, BT47 3PU on Thursday at 6.00pm to repose overnight in St Columb's Church, Chapel Road. Funeral service will take place on Good Friday at 12noon. Interment afterwards in St Mary's cemetery, Ardmore. Family flowers only, donations in lieu of flowers, if wished, to Foyle Hospice, 61 Culmore Road, Derry, BT48 8JE. Our Lady of Lourdes intercede for her.

Sheila Miller (née Quigley), Derry

It is with deep regret we announce the passing of Sheila Miller (née Quigley), April 1 2026, peacefully at Owenmór Care Home, beloved wife of the late Davie, loving mother of Annette, Gary and Angela, mother-in-law of Damian, Siobhan and Raymond, devoted grandmother of Christopher, Rebecca, Orla, Sean and Ellie-Mae, great-grandmother of Caiomhin and Ceala and a much loved loved sister and aunt. Sheila will be reposing in her daughter’s home, 2 Gelvin Grange, Waterside. Funeral from there on Good Friday at 10.30am for 11o’clock funeral service in The Church of the Immaculate Conception, Trench Road. Interment afterwards in St Mary’s Cemetery, Ardmore. Family time please from 10.00pm to 11.00am. Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu of flowers, if wished, to Alzheimer's UK. Queen of the Most Holy Rosary pray for her.

John Palmer, 31 Moneyhaw Road, Moneymore

Funeral arrangements for the late John Palmer, called Home March 31 2026 (peacefully) at Marina Care Home, Ballyronan, dearly beloved husband of Marion, 31 Moneyhaw Road, Moneymore, much loved and devoted father of Jonnie and Naomi, dear father-in-law of Annette and Paul, loving granda of Katie, John, Rose, Noah and Abigail and dearest brother of George, Violet (Donaghy), Dorothy (McCord) and the late Jim and Tom. House private. A service of thanksgiving for John’s life will take place in Calvary Free Presbyterian Church, Magherafelt on Saturday (April 4) at 2:00pm. Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu, if desired, for Marina Care Home Patients Comfort Fund payable to Garvin’s Funeral Service (Donation’s A/c), 15 Ballyronan Road, Magherafelt, BT45 6BP. Always loved and remembered by his family and the entire family circle. “Jesus said, follow me” Luke 9 v 59

Elizabeth (Lily) Rankin (née Johnstone), 11 Ardnashee, Derry

It is with deep regret we announce the passing of Elizabeth (Lily) Rankin (née Johnstone), March 31 2026, beloved wife of Noel, loving mother of Jackie, Sharon, Koran, Cathy and Noel, mother-in-law of Dermot and Declan, a devoted grandmother and great-grandmother and dear sister of Jim, Kitty, Donna and the late Alfie, Collie, Willie, Mae and Mena. Lily will be reposing in her home, 11 Ardnashee, from 12noon - 10.00pm on Thursday. Funeral from there on Friday at 9.30am for 10o'clock funeral service in St Patrick's Church, Pennyburn. Interment afterwards in the City Cemetery. Queen of the Most Holy Rosary pray for her.

William (Billy) Smyth, 4 Railway View, Upperlands

The death has taken place of William (Billy) Smyth, April 1 2026, (peacefully) at Benbradagh Care Home, Upperlands, dearly loved Husband of the late Dorothy, 4 Railway View, Upperlands, much loved Father of Derek and Gary, a loving Father-in-Law of Lynn and Alexis, devoted Granda of Danielle (Stuart), Dean (Pamela), Calum, Ewan, Jaxon and Alexa-Jayde, proud Great Granda of Ollie and Lucy and dearest Brother of Kay and Elizabeth. House strictly private. All welcome at D. Watters Funeral Home, Tobermore on Friday evening, April 3, from 7:00pm - 9:00pm. Funeral will take place from his home on Saturday, April 4 at 12.20pm to Culnady Presbyterian Church for service at 1:00pm, followed by a private Family burial. Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu, if desired, to The British Legion, can be made online or payable to D Watters (Donations A/c), 55 Main Street, Tobermore Magherafelt BT45 5PP. Lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his sorrowing Family and Family Circle.