Mourners at the funeral of a popular Co Down teacher and GAA volunteer who passed away at the weekend were told how she “touched thousands of lives” across the community.
Aisling McGivern from Warrenpoint passed away in hospital on Saturday. She was the head of home economics at St Louis Grammar School in Kilkeel.
At her funeral held at St Peter’s Church in Warrenpoint, it was described that a “huge wave of grief and sorrow had washed over the parish”.
She was described by the priest as “a truly extraordinary and inspiring woman”.
Father Peter McNeill told those gathered it was hard to comprehend the popular woman’s death.
“Kindness was a very apt description for Aisling. That is what she brought,” he said.
“To fight for what is important to stand up for what she believed in. Friends were important.
“She was someone who touched lives because she saw God in other people and she allowed others to see God in her. She gave, she enriched. She enjoyed her family. Today is about saying, we are with you.”
As mourners packed the church, members of Aisling’s family also brought various items up to the alter in memory of the woman, including a St Louis Grammar School top and a top of her local GAA club.
They also brought her passport, with it being described how much she loved travelling.
Earlier in the week following her passing, her school paid a heartfelt tribute to “our dear friend and esteemed colleague”.
“Aisling embodied the St Louis spirit, always willing to give of her best for our pupils and our school. She immersed herself in school life and contributed so much to our school both inside the classroom and beyond,” they wrote.
“Aisling worked as a teacher in St Louis, for 16 years and during this time she greatly contributed to school life. As an excellent Head of Department, she ensured the smooth running of all activities and taught and supported countless students.
“Aisling was a person who lived life to the full and packed a lot into the short time she was given. Her passing leaves a huge hole in so many hearts as she was a person with so much life to live and so much life to give too.
“The sense of deep loss at her passing will be felt most keenly by her family, her father Emmett Thomas, mother Fiona, sister Claire and brother Ciarán and her niece and nephew Katie-Rose and Donnacha, who she adored.
“We extend our sympathies to them and to Aisling’s extended family, wide circle of friends and our thoughts and prayers are with all our staff and students, past and present, who will mourn Aisling’s loss so deeply.”
As well as teaching Ms McGivern was also part of Down GAA’s public relations and marketing committee.
The Official Down GAA page on Facebook described her “an outstanding volunteer, a person who made things happen and who, by her commitment to Down GAA, made a difference to the lives of many”.
News Catch Up – Tuesday 12th November