Tribute paid to ‘gentleness and wisdom’ of Plumbridge woman

SEVERAL hundred people attended the funeral Mass of Plumbridge woman, Mary McCullagh, whose death last weekend caused widespread shock and sadness.

A mother of two sons, Kieran (Tracey) and Eugene, she was pre-deceased by her husband, Eddie.

The family lived on the Landahussy Road, and her funeral took place to the Sacred Heart Church in Plumbridge on Tuesday.

A former employee with the civil service, Mary was described as someone who, along with her husband, Eddie, had been wonderful parents to their two sons.

Mary was gifted with great intelligence, and was a person of gentleness and understanding. She was not someone who was easily distracted, but had a quiet disposition with the ability of wisdom and insight.

The congregation heard that her soul was at peace with God.

“Mary loved reading, which fed her appreciation of life,” the main celebrant, Fr Brian Donnelly, said in his homily.

“In her work with the civil service, she was a stickler for good grammar. She always corrected texts and documents which were given to her.

“Her typing was highly-prized, and not just the technical aspects of the work, but also her ability to understand what she was typing.

“Mary was not given to pretentious diction or meaningless words. She had a precise language, and Mary was honest and straightforward. Say what you mean and mean what you say, and say it logically with just cause and preferably with care and love.

“There are people in our lives whom we see as really wholesome because they say what they mean and mean what they say. I found clarity and honesty with Mary. It graced her final days of life.”

Those in attendance at the funeral Mass were told that Mary had been ‘very much accepting’ of her medical news even though it was a shock for her.

She was described as resilient and someone of great faith.

Mary McCullagh is also survived by her grandchildren Esme and Luca. She was the daughter of the late Thomas and Molly McBride and was an adored sister of John, Celine, Peter, Tom, Rose and the late Brenda RIP.