Late Sr Magdalane - ‘a beacon of compassion, warmth and unwavering kindness’

There is much sadness in Donegal Town at the death of Sr Magdalene Moore, Convent of Mercy, Ardeskin, and formerly Ballinasloe, County Galway.

Sr Magdalene was a driving force behind Donegal Hospice and the Solace Cancer Support Centre in Donegal Town. And her support for those affected by cancer extended far beyond the walls of the Solace and Hospice buildings.

Countless families in the area recall how her gentle, calming presence brought solace to their loved ones during their illness and in their final weeks and days. She was also greatly supportive of the families of cancer patients.

Tributes

Many people have been paying tribute to Sr Magdalene, describing her as a beautiful soul, a very kind lady, an earth angel.

Mayor of Donegal Town Anna Gallagher said: “The passing of Sister Magdalene has left a profound sense of loss in our community.  

“She was a beacon of compassion,warmth and unwavering kindness. The light she shone touched the lives of so many. Always seeing the good in others, always offering a gentle word or a helping hand. 

“Her presence brought comfort and hope especially in our darkest moments.

“Sr Magdalene inspired us to lead with love, to lift each other up and to live with grace. Her legacy will live on in the kindness we show our community that  she helped shape with such quiet strength and joy.

“Rest in peace, Sister.”

Pioneer of the Hospice Movement

Sr Magdalene was brought up in Ballinasloe, County Galway. She joined the Sisters of Mercy, Ballyshannon, and trained as a nurse before travelling to Montana, USA where she worked with hospice and HIV patients. 

On her return to Donegal, Sr Magdalene was instrumental in setting up the hospice movement for Letterkenny and County Donegal. And she herself went out every high road and by-road to relentlessly care for the sick and dying. 

Solace

A group of women in Donegal Town who had been diagnosed with cancer began to meet regularly to support each other. It was their wish that they would have a designated area to congregate.

At the heart of this group was Sr Magdalene, who saw this wish to fruition. The Solace Cancer Support Centre was born, opening its doors in St Joseph’s Avenue, Donegal Town in 2007.

Sr Magdalene always had time for everyone and gave of herself unsparingly. She was cheerful, positive, supportive and had a marvellous sense of humour.

She had the ability to turn despair into hope, darkness into light. Her loving and caring nature combined with years of experience of hospice care nursing made her the ideal person to lead the group, creating a building and nurturing space which has been of immeasurable benefit to the community. 

“Without Sr Magdalene, this building would not have happened,” recalled one person close to the late sister.

She was a very modest lady, and one who shunned the limelight if at all possible. Solace Cancer Support Centre and indeed the people of Donegal owe a deep gratitude to Sr Magdalene. 

Her eternal wish was that her great legacy would live on.

Funeral Arrangements

Sr Magdalene is sadly missed by the Sisters of Mercy Community, Donegal Town and Ballyshannon, and the wider Mercy Community of the Northern Branch, her brother Mikey, her sisters-in-law Mary Frances and Nora, her nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and her many friends and colleagues.

Her remains are reposing at St Catherine’s Convent of Mercy, College Street, Ballyshannon, F94 D309, on Wednesday, from 2pm until 5pm. 

Sr Magdalene's remains will leave Ballyshannon at 6pm on Wednesday to be received at St Patrick’s Church, Main Street, Donegal Town, F94 R5RK, 7pm for service. The coffin will remain open so that the community at large can pay their respects to Sr Magdalene from 7pm to 9pm.

Mass of the Resurrection takes place on Thursday at 12 noon, in St Patrick’s Church, Donegal Town, with burial afterwards in Clar Cemetery, F94 VXT6. 

Donations in lieu of flowers if so desired to the Solace Centre, Donegal Town c/o Patrick McKenna, Funeral Director, Ballyshannon.