The late Tess Greene described as a 'beautiful friend to all' at her funeral mass

The special type of person the late Teresa Greene was, was felt by all at her funeral mass.

Teresa, or Tess, who was 41 from Saltpans, Dungloe, had bravely chronicled her life having been diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in December 2021.

On Tuesday, surrounded by her family, she passed in at Donegal Hospice. Her funeral took place on Friday at St Patrick's Church, Meenacross, a place where she had often spent times of reflection.

Having graduated Ulster University with first-class honours in Integrance Counselling Practice and then undertaking an MSc in Therapeutic Interventions in Alcohol & Drug Addiction, working in the Probation Office of Northern Ireland and being a committee member of Realy for Life, her life was poignantly and perfectly captured by Fr Nigel O'Gallchóir, Anagaire, and concelebrated Fr John Joe Duffy, a native of Burtonport.

Fr O'Gallchóir spoke from the heart and said he was privileged to have known Tess in her short life.

“Today we come to celebrate a beautiful woman, who had a beautiful soul, but I don’t need to tell you that,” Fr O'Gallchóir began.

“I know today is International Women’s Day and today we gather to celebrate a woman who was remarkable. Today also is the feast of St John of God. He was the patron saint of those who work in family services, who work with young people, of those who suffer from addiction, whether it’s alcohol or drugs or gambling or whatever. St John of God was someone who had a great love for the poor and for the young, someone who was very close to Tess’ life.

“Can we offer our condolences to her daughter Millie, the apple of her eye. Her soul mate. I want to offer my condolences to mum and dad, Beadie and Gerard, and to Gerard jnr, to Josey and Megan and Jenna; to nieces and nephews Liane, Tommylee, Jack, Jason, Ryan, Aaliyah and Assana and all of Greene family and extended entire family. To all of Tess’ colleagues and friends, who have travelled from near and far. Tess was a beautiful friend to all.”

Fr O'Gallchóir recalled Tess’ meticulous nature and willingness to plan, so much so that to make things easier for those she leaves behind, she planned her own funeral mass.

“As all of you know, Tess loved making plans and there is an old saying that says ‘we make plans and God laughs’ but I don't think God was aware of the plans that Tess made,” Fr O'Gallchóir added. “The funeral mass today, she had a huge part to play, as she put it all together herself, whether it was the music or the prayers of the faithful she wrote herself. They have her mark on it.

“Thanks to all who are here, to the guards of honour and schools. Young people were very much a part of Tess’ life. She would want you to smile today. She would want you to laugh today and she would want you to shed a tear today.”

To remember Tess, a family photo was taken to the alter, as was her coffee cup, to recall the conversations and chats she had; books, which Tess adored with her thrust for knowledge, her wooden box; her walking shoes, which she would wear on her endless walks, "before the birds were even up, a place where Tess felt most at peace."

Fr O'Gallchóir continued: “One of the little things I’ve said over the last few nights at the Rosary is that yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift - and that’s why we call it the present. Tess loved Meenacross and she felt at home here in this building.

“In our helter-skelter world, we measure life by what we have in our pocket, and how long we live. It’s not the short 41 years of Tess’ life that count. It’s the life she lived in those years. She packed in a lot. Her journey was shorter than any of us would’ve wanted - but her impact was profound.

“She thought about everything, loved the world around her and had an insatiable curiosity. And she loved people. From the crowd here today - inside and outside - and the messages on social media and everything else, everyone loved her. She did the ordinary little things in life extraordinarily well. She mentioned the love of this building here - the history, the heritage and the culture. She loved Maghery and the beaches.

“It was a privilege for me as a priest to make the journey to Letterkenny, room seven of Donegal Hospice, at the end of the long corridor - to me those visits were sacred. When you entered that room it was like a magical bubble of unconditional love. 

“Her strength was incredible in the sharing of her struggles. She always kept going. One foot in front of the other. Teresa lived her life with a sense of purpose and there was always a plan. She was guided by faith and by love. She was true to herself. ”

Jenna, Tess’ sister, thanked all, from the local community, friends, those who were with Tess throughout, from the medical staff, Oncology Unit and Donegal Hospice, to those who passed on sympathies and helped the family, and Fr O'Gallchóir and Fr Duffy.

“Thank you for giving us the biggest honour and the privilege of being your family,” Jenna concluded. “Oíche mhaith, our beautiful Tess, agus Slán go fóill.”