A large crowd gathered at The Church of The Holy Family in Ardara to say their final goodbyes to Donna Boyle.
There wasn’t many a dry eye when the reflections of husband, Brendan and Donna’s children, Eoghan and Aoibheann, were read out.
Ms Boyle (neé Dunnion), of Kentucky, Ardara and formerly of Barnesmore, passed away in the care of Donegal Hospice.
She will be remembered as a devoted mother-of-two, popular teacher and a much-admired footballer.
She touched the lives of many in her community, as a teacher at Frosses NS and as an inspirational footballer, having played on the Donegal Ladies team.
Theirs was a GAA household and how could it not be with heartbroken husband Brendan known to many as a former Donegal senior team player.
Four gifts were brought to the altar, first, a family photo to symbolise her love for family, a book to symbolise her love for teaching, a Donegal and Four Masters jerseys to symbolise her love for the GAA, and a football to symbolise the friendships Donna made in her sporting career over the years.
Father Peoples described Donna and Brendan as ‘The best looking couple he ever married.’
A devout catholic, when visited in the hospital last Friday, Donna said she was ‘spiritually at the gates of heaven’
“We must never just remember her or define her by her illness, she was so much more than that so please hold that to the forefront of your thoughts.”
Among the many, many people who mourned Donna this morning were her husband Brendan, children Eoghan and Aoibheann, parents Danny and Marian Dunnion, brothers Barry and Donal and the extended Boyle and Dunnion families.
Donna’s death touched the hearts of so many people when news of her passing became known this week.
In his reflection, Brendan expressed his love for his wife: “Donna, you were such a special person in so many ways, your beauty shone through each and every day.”
“A wife and a mother who was always there for us.
“We tried to covert you to the green and gold, but your heart was always blue.
“From the moment I met you, I knew you were the one to marry, the only problem I did have was convincing Donal and Barry.
“As hard as it is to say goodbye, we can rest assured you are going straight to heaven and that’s for sure.
“Thank you Donna, I love you, Brendan.”
The final reflection was entitled ‘Mum’.
“You read us many stories, and watched us play and play.
“You were our own personal teacher who took care of us each and every day. You were the most beautiful, happy and generous mum we could ever ask for.
“We just want to let you know you were the best mum in the world. You were so kind and funny and we loved spending time with you.
“Your favourite colour was blue and you’d wear it as often as you could. Every time we see something blue, we will be thinking of you.
“We are very sad to see you go and we will miss you each day but we know you’ll be watching us from heaven above, every minute of every day. Now that you’re in heaven please send us your super powers if we ever need you, we will call your name and we know you’ll get there as quick as you can.
“Mum, you are now our guardian angel so come watch over us and we will say this prayer to you each night so you can look after us.
“Angels, sent by God, to guide me by my light and walk beside me, be my guardian and protect me on the path of life direct me, Amen.
“We love you mum, and we will miss you forever, Love, Eoghan and Aoibheann.”
Guards or Honour were formed by the children and staff of Frosses National School, where Donna taught, as well as Ardara and Four Masters GAA Clubs.
Hundreds packed into The Church of The Holy Family in Ardara as they made way from across many parts of Donegal in such challenging conditions following overnight snow.
