There is widespread sadness across Donegal and beyond following the sudden passing of local disability campaigner Catherine Chan (nee Devine).
Catherine gave many disabled people a voice in Letterkenny and beyond as she highlighted the need for change in our society.
Married to local businessman Georgie Chan, Catherine passed away unexpectedly at Letterkenny University Hospital.
Tributes have flowed in for Catherine on social media not just for her work but also for her friendship she shared with family and friends over the years.
Among the many people Catherine lobbied to make Letterkenny and Donegal a better place for people with disabilities was Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh.
Councillor Kavanagh paid a special tribute to Catherine and said he hopes her work will be carried on in her honour and memory.
He said “I was shocked and saddened to hear of the untimely passing of Catherine Chan.
“Catherine was a wonderful lady and a great advocate for people with disabilities, she was always positive and solution driven and seeking to make life easier for those who had disabilities to deal with.
“It was Catherine who approached me about getting a changing places facility in Letterkenny and hopefully that will be happening very soon as a result and it is sad that she will not be here to see that.
“She highlighted many of the parking problems faced by people with disabilities and her great love of Donegal shone through in the many trips that she made around the county highlighting the beauty of Donegal and also highlighting the obstacles that existed for people with disabilities and advising on the best trips for those who had mobility challenges.
“Catherine was always smiling and never had a negative word to say about anything, she was just interested on getting things improved to help those who needed a little help.
“She will be sorely missed by all who knew her, sincere sympathy to her husband and parents and to all the Devine & Chan family connection, may God console them and may Catherine rest in peace.”
Catherine will be deeply missed by her loving husband Georgie, parents Joe and Mary, brothers Brian and wife Bear (Kildare), Joe and wife Gráinne (Kerry), Adrian and wife Caitríona (Letterkenny), sisters Mairead and husband John (Letterkenny), Louise and husband Ciaran (Dundalk), Sinead and husband Sean (Letterkenny), mother in law Yaúmui Chan (The Glebe, Letterkenny), brothers in law Bobby and wife Yvonne (Letterkenny), Raymond and wife Lynn (Letterkenny), Jimmy and wife Shirley (Letterkenny), and sister in law Enna and husband Paul (Letterkenny).
Catherine’s remains will be reposing at her late residence in Ballaghderg, Letterkenny, on Sunday, the 6th of August, from 12 noon until 10pm.
Her funeral will take place in St. Eunan’s Cathedral, Letterkenny, at 11am Monday, the 7th of August, followed by cremation in Lakeland’s Crematorium, Cavan. Family and close friends welcome, family flowers only, please. Donations, in lieu of flowers, to the Irish Wheelchair Association or the MD Society of Ireland.
May she rest in peace.
