Marion Donnelly RIP People were stunned, shocked and saddened when they heard of the death of Marion Donnelly, Emyvale, and it was not only the people of North Monaghan but from the entire county and indeed all over Ireland and many countries throughout the world. Marion, through her work and her interests, became a well-known lady and was held in great esteem by all who knew her. Her involvement in and contribution to the GAA at local, county and national level has been enormous and her employment in Silverhill Duckling brought her into contact with people throughout the world. She will be sadly missed by all. Marion was born in Mullan Village and she had a sister and two brothers – Nuala, Francis, (who passed away in 2017), and Terence. Marion’s father, Benny Connolly from Cornacrieve, Emyvale, died in May 1984 R.I.P. He was a very well-known footballer, who played for Truagh, Emyvale, Scotstown and maybe others from time to time. He was a great fielder, intelligent reader of the game and very accurate with either foot, as he played in the forward line. He played for the County team and was a member of the 1956 All-Ireland winning Junior team. He was a close friend of the Moyna twins, Tommy and Mackie. In 1963 he sustained a seriously broken leg while playing football, and this ended his playing career but he continued his involvement with Gaelic football as a referee. Obviously he passed on the love of the game to Marion. Her mother, Kathleen, nee Kelly from Figullar, passed away in March 2020, RIP. Killyrean NS was the closest school for Mullan and Marion attended there. The teachers were Master Woods and Mary McQuaid and Marion had the highest praise for both teachers, as they made school a very enjoyable experience and took a great interest in their pupils. From there she graduated to Monaghan Vocational School, travelling by bus from Packie McGlone’s corner each morning at 7.30am. Again she loved her school and was involved in many extra- curricular activities including drama. On the day she finished her Intermediate Certificate, she was interviewed for a position in the office of Mullan Mills. She was successful and began work the next morning. There were 80 to 100 workers in the factory at the time. The General Manager was Stephen Fuller, while Sean McAllister was Financial Manager. Imelda Kelly, Sheila Maguire, Marie Colleran, Angela Forde, and Patricia McGonnell were working in the office at the time. Jim Boylan, Jnr. was the boss and Marion claimed that it was a great company to work for. Marion once described Mullan Village as’Heaven Itself’. She grew up with the McElwaines; Mulligans; Maguires and McQuaids. No door was ever closed and neighbours lived in harmony. Mrs. Mulligan was a great lady in the locality and loved the children around her. She told jokes, listened to their ’problems’ and always had good advice for them. Everyone was involved in playing handball against the gable wall of the factory, although much of the time was spent looking for the ball either in the river or in the factory yard. She could remember Hayden’s shows coming to town but, as she was very young then, details are brief. Every house in the village was occupied and there was a waiting list for any which became vacant. She had great memories of her life in Mullan and every memory seems to have good weather, which just express her happiness of those years. During her time in Mullan Mills, the family moved to Oriel Park, Emyvale, and Marion had to get a lift to and from work. However, in 1972 she applied for and was accepted as Office Staff in Silverhill Duckling. She had to work her month’s notice in Mullan Mills and on October 31st 1972 she took up her new job. Ronnie and Lyla Steele had set up the farm in 1965 and in ’69 it became known as Silverhill Duckling Ltd. Marie McQuaid, now McGee, was already on the Office Staff and she was of great assistance to Marion in settling in to her new work. There were about 50 employees and they carried out the entire process – as they called it –‘match, hatch, and dispatch’. They were exporting oven-ready duck to the UK, but Marion had the pleasure of doing the paperwork for the first load being exported to Germany. This was a big step for an Irish firm to break into the German market, but they were also exporting ducks’ feet to Hong Kong. Since then, of course, the company has progressed even further and are now dispatching their products all over Europe and to many other parts of the world. They have a vast range of products – oven-ready, cooked or smoked, and they use the duck down in making quality duvets, cushions and pillows. With a smile, Marion once said that the “only part of the duck they do not sell at the moment is ‘the quack’ but that they have people working on an outlet for this”!! Marion became Financial Controller with the firm and, in the line of duty, travelled to many countries to meet customers. Marion had retired from the company in recent times but her knowledge and advice were still welcomed from time to time. In the early 80’s Marion set up home on Main Street, Emyvale, and had two children Aoife and Colin and a third, Raymond Jnr, died in infancy in 1986. During the 80’s and 90’s Mullan went from a buzzing, lively, picturesque mecca of trade and industry in the 50’s to a well-nigh deserted village of the 90’s and Marion was upset at the way the village had deteriorated and becoming a wilderness. However when word got out that the village had been purchased and when the renovations and new buildings started to appear and new life was coming into it once again Marion was delighted and expressed her delight on numerous occasions. When she moved to Emyvale, Marion took up badminton in the D.P.C. and with brother, Terence, captured the mixed-doubles County Championships three years in a row. She, with Marie and Ursula McQuaid, played three nights each week with Cootehill. She played camogie with Monaghan and was a member of the Monaghan Ladies Indoor soccer team, which won the All- Ireland Club Championship. In the final she scored five goals. During the building of the Leisure Centre she was a driving force on many fund-raising ventures. She has taken part in Tidy Towns activity and was Secretary of Emyvale District Credit Union Ltd for over fifteen years. She was very earnest about the Credit Union and how it served the community. She described it as a magnificent asset to the area which brought great benefits to thousands, who have used its services over the years, Marion also took part in many local drama productions for the DPC stage and added to the enjoyment and laughter during rehearsals. They were great fun, as was her involvement in Emyvale Scor Novelty Act team, especially when they reached the Ulster Final. Of course from a very early age she had a great interest in the GAA. Pascal McArdle, who married Elish McQuaid, and Jim Dillon, who married Chris Mulligan, were also keen on football and they helped to fan the flame of her interest. Jim Dillon took Marion and brother Francie to every All-Ireland final. He was from Kerry and never missed a game. As a teenager, Marion preferred going to a football game rather than a disco, and it didn’t matter which teams were playing. In 1987 Marion became assistant secretary of Emyvale Gaelic Football Club, and since then she held some position on the Committee and was always striving for improvements and developments. During her tenure as Treasurer the club got a new field with clubhouse, built a stand at the pitch and had teams entered at every level. She was Treasurer of the club again in the years prior to her death and she was so proud of the Club and encouraged a great spirit of friendship and co-operation. She was also involved in the setting up of a Ladies GAA Club in Emyvale. Marion’s greatest joy was to see the field full of young players getting and giving so much enjoyment and on that note she had great praise for all the team managers and mentors. Her involvement with the Emyvale Club led her to the County Board where again she was progressive and always promoting developments. While she was County Treasurer Marion was a volunteer of distinction and was held in the highest esteem by all who had the privilege to come into contact with her. She served as a member of the Ulster GAA Finance Committee and was elected by the clubs of Monaghan as one of their two representatives on the Ulster Council. She was the current Secretary of the Ulster GAA Club Planning & Physical Development Committee and was also a member of the Ulster GAA Hearings Committee and the Ulster GAA Scór Committee. Marion wasn’t one for the limelight but worked behind the scenes and was able to move things forward and get things done. She served for over a decade as Treasurer of the Monaghan County Committee (2005-15) and prior to that served as both Assistant Treasurer and Assistant Secretary. She was a key player in the development of the Monaghan GAA Training Centre in Cloghan and was always looking at ways to improve things. By her example as volunteer and with her bubbly personality she was very influential and persuasive - She will be sadly missed. After 9pm on the evening of Tuesday, December 20th Marion passed away suddenly at her home on Main Street, Emyvale. On Thursday and Friday she reposed in McMahon’s Funeral Parlour in Emyvale and long queues waited their turn to pay their respects. On Saturday her remains were taken to St. Patrick’s Church, Corracrin for 11am Mass. A number of groups formed guards of honour as she left Nuala’s house, through the village and again on her arrival at the Church. Members of the Emyvale GFC were very much involved in the Guards of Honour. Her remains were received by Fr. Hubert Martin, and before the Mass he welcomed the family members and the huge congregation and mentioned those who were representing various organisations including the GAA President, Larry McCarthy; Ulster Council GAA Chairman, Ciaran McLaughlin and Monaghan County GAA Board Chairman, Declan Flanagan and many other GAA officials from Monaghan County Board and neighbouring counties. Mementos of her life were then brought to the altar including a family photograph, Monaghan and Emyvale football jerseys and an O’Neill’s football. During the Homily Fr. Hubert spoke of the various forms of contribution and service given by Marion to her family and friends, to her work and to the community at large. He stated that she had the kindness of heart and the capacity to go that extra mile, most times behind the scenes and not looking for any credit for herself. Her many fine personal qualities and her business acumen equipped her so well for the many roles she played and the positions she held throughout her life. Her death touched the hearts of so many as was evident from the huge crowds who called to the parlour to pay their respects and were present at the funeral. Fr. Hubert expressed the thanks of the family to all who had an active role in the Mass, with special mention of the Choir. After Mass Marion was buried beside her son, Raymond Junior, in Corracrin graveyard. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.