Marie loved life and lived for family

Four months from her 60th birthday, Marie passed away on April 23, just two weeks after being diagnosed with cancer.

Marie was the daughter of Faye and Hugh Donnelly who had lived in Waring Street when she was born.

She had nine siblings; Roisin, Eileen, Kathleen, Ruth, Collette, Sonny, Sean, Dee and Cathal.

The Donnelly family moved to Deeny Drive where Marie spent most of her childhood.

As a youngster Marie went to the Sacred Heart before attending school at St Mary’s and St Michael’s.

At 17 Marie was working in England at a firm called Combex which made baths. She met Frank Bland who had been working as a tower crane operator and the couple were married in Lancaster on August 12, 1971.

But Marie returned home with her husband in 1972 when her mother Faye was diagnosed with cancer.

Marie and Frank first lived in the flats at Ennis Close before they moved to Lurgantarry.

They had three children Dee, Wayne and Sharon. And she also had 12 grandchildren.

Marie worked in a variety of jobs throughout her life including a stitching factory and at Tayto, also at Chiko Foods, at Irlandus and Goodyear.

Marie was primarily a family woman. She was a loving wife and adored by her husband of 43 years, Frank. She was a devoted mum and doted on her 12 grandchildren.

She loved to travel and the couple thoroughly enjoyed the sun and going abroad. She just adored her trip to the USA.

She always loved the sun and even when she knew she was dying she wished her family to have a lovely summer.

Marie was a happy person, always laughing and smiling and full of life. She had a positive attitude and knew how to enjoy herself.

She was a woman of routine and enjoyed going up the town to Cafollas and then into the bookies to do a bet on the horses.

Marie also enjoyed traditional music and would have went now and again to see bands in Clann Eireann. She also enjoyed going to Clann Eireann to play cards.

In the last ten years Marie had suffered a number of illness including arthritis and Fibromyalgia but it came as a huge shock to her family when she was diagnosed with cancer and died just two weeks later.

Her daughter Sharon said: “Mum will be sadly missed by everyone who loved her, especially her husband and children. A part of them as died with her.”

Marie’s funeral was to St Peter’s Church in North Street and she was buried afterwards at St Coleman’s Cemetery.

Her month’s Mind will be at St Peter’s on Friday, May 24 at both 8am and 7pm Masses.