Obituary: Distinguished retired Ballyshannon teacher, the late Maureen McHugh passes in her 97th year
The recent death of Maureen McHugh (née McIntyre), Donegal Road, Ballyshannon, in her 97th year, in the tender loving care of the staff of the Rock Nursing Unit, has evoked a huge outputting of love, affection, sadness and sympathy, within the wider community of south Donegal, on learning of her passing.
At her Funeral Mass on Saturday, Fr Paddy Dunne, P.P. Kilbarron welcomed his brother priests who concelebrated the Mass, members of the deceased’s family and many past pupils she had taught, in a distinguished teaching career.
He remarked on Maureen’s beautiful soul, who had reached a wonderful age before her passing.
He said that she was going to be missed in every way “by her dignified, beautiful and gentle presence, that was uplifting to everyone she met”.
In his homily, he recalled being stuck with an image of Maureen in his head, from meeting different people, of a dignified, petite frame, scooting about on a scooter in Ballyshannon heading out to teach, often with a passenger on the back with her.
And according to locals, the only other scooter in the area was Angela’s Currid’s.
Maureen’s was a Vespa, he told a packed congregation and would be extremely valuable, if still around today.
She had been born in 1927 in Chapel Street and the local Church they were in, also formed an important part of her family life, with great memories, even enjoying a cup of tea in the kitchen of the old parochial house.
She was a diligent student and later earned a scholarship to Carysfort College, which indicated both her intellect and abundant academic abilities.
She later qualified as a teacher and at 22 years of age, in 1949, she went off to teach in Carricknahorna National School.
Fr Dunne described it as a one teacher school.
He recalled: “It wasn’t easy, when you have the whole gang with you from little infants right up to sixth class and you are trying to teach them all. But no bother to Maureen.
“Those were the days where we used to hear the stories and you can still see the remnants in the old schools of the fireplaces, where the young people brought the sod of turf . . . and the bare feet.”
Maureen later taught at Creevy National School, in 1969, which was then a two-teacher school.
He remarked on how lovely it was to meet some of Maureen’s old past pupils and to hear them talk of their teacher and how education in those days was much different than it is today.
He said that Maureen had stood out because of her gentleness, in what was then a tougher educational environment.
“She was unique, in the education system, because she helped people to blossom. It was never about putting somebody down.
Fr Dunne added: “It was always to raise somebody up, her quiet sense of humour and wit, staying in the background, her personality as you well know her, locally she was not someone out front at all, (rather) a background worker and operator that kept the wheels ticking over, that is where her engine was, that is where she worked so hard, but she touched so many lives.
“So many people have received a beautiful gift from Maureen and her from her teaching and her person.
“That is what education is all about. It’s more than books, it’s where you meet someone that inspires you and it is lovely to see the smile and the glint in past pupils' eyes when they still talk about her with a warmth and fondness in times that were harsh.”
Fr Dune told of how Maureen had married her husband in 1964 and her three children were a great testament to their Mum and Dad.
They moved up to the Donegal Road in 1967, but very sadly at 43 years of age, Sean died. It was tough on Maureen whose late father had also died in an accident, but the great spirit of Maureen was how she dedicated herself to the raising of her precious family and later her grandchildren.
The words he had heard so often about Maureen, referred to the deceased as “a real lady”, who “gave her life in service”.
“She was a giver, gave herself in every way, a very quiet but very strong spirit that brought her through the tragedies and tough times that she faced in life. She never lost that spirit for life and living and for loving,” Fr Dunne poignantly added.
Maureen is the beloved wife of the late Sean, much loved mother of Declan (Karen) Anne (Tommy) and Barry (Stéphanie).
Predeceased by her parents James and Brigid, brother Paddy and sister Kathleen O'Neill, sister in-law Ailish and brothers in-law Paddy, Larry and Dessie.
She will be very sadly missed by her sons, daughter, daughters in-law, son in-law, grandchildren Martin, Rose, Lauren, Emily, Pearl and John, brothers John and Fr Raymond S.D.B., sister Agnes Rooney (late husband Brendan), sister in-law Mary Furey, nieces, nephews and the extended McHugh and McIntyre Families to whom deepest sympathy is extended.
Requiem Mass on Saturday last in St Patrick's Church, Ballyshannon, was followed by burial in St Joseph's Cemetery, The Rock.