Community mourns the passing of Kathleen Doogan - a 'force of nature'

The sad and unexpected passing of Kathleen (Bosco) Doogan (née O'Donnell) was described as the passing of a "force of nature" at this morning's Requiem Mass in St Mary's Church, Kincasslagh.

There have been many tributes since the news of her untimely death last Friday morning all acknowledging her kind but firm and at times direct nature.

The late Mrs Doogan (67) is the sister of singers Margo and Daniel O'Donnell. Daniel sang in English and in Irish during this morning's ceremony as a packed congregation joined by several thousand online heard all about her life and times.

These were also referenced by her son John Francis when he addressed the congregation. He likened the Oscar-nominated Irish film, The Banshees of Inisherin storyline to his mother's relationship with people. He described it as 'falling out with someone over anything and then casually making up at some point as if nothing had happened'.

"I guess it was a form of acceptance for you if mum had some sort of row with you but it was awful hard for us all to keep up with who were the good guys and the bad guys," he joked.

He added as well as always being there for her family, she was a neighbour who was always there for someone if they needed anything.

"The crowds at the house at the visible shock and upset that her passing caused the whole community and further afield was very humbling as a family to see. The love shown to her means a great deal to us all," he added.

He also explained the significance of the gifts that were brought to the altar which included a photograph of her grandchildren, rosary beads, rollers for her hair and a cup and what each meant to his mother.

In his homily chief celebrant, Very Rev Pat Ward, VF PP Kincasslagh-Burtonport also addressed the theme of relationships and spoke of the strong bond that was very evident in the O'Donnell family from the moment Kathleen was born on March 15, 1955 until her untimely departure on Friday last.

He described it as difficult for her family to come to terms with.

"Even today they are trying to come to terms with the fact that Kathleen has gone from us now. Sometimes when quiet people die they leave behind a gentle silence. But when people who were a force of nature die the silence is deafening for those who are left behind and I know for her family, that silence is a real tangible thing, really difficult to accept."

He said it would take time for them to accept that but hoped the presence of so many friends and neighbours would be something that would help them let go of the hand that carried them so far.

Fr Ward also spoke on the loving care she had for her late mother Julia and how she always respected her position as matriarch of the family and her devotion to her grandchildren describing them as "her life and soul". 

"One of the things about Kathleen was, whatever she thought, she said."

Fr Ward also reminded everyone of her time running the nearby Viking House guest house and bar when "her larger-than-life personality came to the fore".

"That was the one thing about Kathleen, she was into equality, everybody got the same treatment. When she was very loving, she was very loving to everybody and when she had something to say, it didn't matter whether you were somebody having a quiet pint, a guest, or the local curate, it didn't matter if you were the Pope in Rome, if Kathleen had something to say she would have said it to you."

Fr Ward described her as one of an ever-decreasing number of local characters who had things like a quick turn of phrase to lighten up a dull evening with their wonderful stories.

"Kathleen was one of those, she was larger than life, one of those you would not forget. You loved her and at times you may not have loved her but you would never forget her. She was a force of nature who became one of the big personalities in and around our parish."

He thanked his clerical colleagues, writer, newspaper columnist, broadcaster and preacher, Fr Brian Darcy, Very Rev Aodhan Cannon PP, Ardara, Very Rev Nigel O'Gallchóir PP, Annagry and other participants for their assistance at the Mass and made special mention of another participant and Burtonport native, Creeslough curate Fr John Joe Duffy and congratulated the people of his village on their Donegal Persons of the Year award. He reminded them that the late Kathleen Doogan visited the village for a novena following the tragedy in solidarity with those affected. The congregation responded with a round of applause.

After the Mass, the cortege made its way to the nearby cemetery at Belcruit where the late Mrs Doogan was laid to rest.

She is survived by her husband John, daughters Trish and Fiona, sons John Francis and Daniel, sister Margaret (Margo), brothers John, James and Daniel, grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law and extended family, neighbours and friends.