Derry Death Notices - Wednesday, 20th September, 2023

The following deaths have occurred:-

• Thomas Edward Burton, 3 Thornhill Park, Magherafelt

• Diana (Di) Cowley, Strasbourg (formerly of Coleraine)

• Maria Dempsey, 1 Loughview Park, Kilrea

• Michelle Doherty (née Doherty), 63 Ballyrogan Road, Ballerin (Updated arrangements)

• Rev. Fr. John Downey, (Moneyneena) Derry

• David Paul Gwynne, 131 Edenbane Road, Kilrea

• Martin (Gander) McClelland, Derry

• Robert Charles Hamilton Sparks, Limavady

• James (Lyle) Watson Todd, 51 Trench Road, Derry

Thomas Edward Burton, 3 Thornhill Park, Magherafelt

The death has taken place of Thomas Edward Burton, 19th September 2023, (suddenly) at his home, 3 Thornhill Park, Magherafelt, in his 91st year, ex Royal Ulster Constabulary, GC, dearly beloved husband of Myrtle, much loved and devoted father of Sharon and Lisa, dear father-in-law of Tom and Billy and a loving nanda of Michelle, William and Sarah. House strictly private. Funeral service in St Swithin’s Parish Church on Friday (22nd September) at 2.00pm followed by burial in the adjoining Churchyard. Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu if desired for St Swithin’s Parish Church Building Fund, payable to Garvin’s Funeral Service (Donations A/c.), 15 Ballyronan Road, Magherafelt, BT45 6BP. Will always be loved and remembered by his wife, daughters and the entire family circle. “A day of duty done, a day of rest begun”

Diana (Di) Cowley, Strasbourg (formerly of Coleraine)

The death has taken place of Diana (Di) Cowley, 17th September 2023, in Strasbourg after a short illness, formerly of Waterford Drive, Coleraine and member of St. Patricks Church, Coleraine. Darling wife of Dave, loving mother of Joy, Yvonne and Ruth and a devoted grandmother of Rachel, Josh, Jacob, Rebekah, Jude and Miles. A Cremation will take place in France on Friday, 22nd September. A Service of Thanksgiving in Northern Ireland will be arranged at a later date.

Maria Dempsey, 1 Loughview Park, Kilrea

We regret to inform you that the death has taken place of Maria Dempsey (Kilrea), 17th September 2023. House Private Please. Family and close friends welcome to call. Family time from 10.00pm to 11.00am please. Maria R.I.P. beloved mother of Ellie Mae and Ethan. Loving daughter of Paul and Margaret, much adored sister of Paula and Orla, sister-in-law of Alan and loving aunt of Tommy and Theo. Funeral from her late residence, 1 Loughview Park, on Thursday at 9.20am for 10.00am Requiem Mass in St. Anne’s Oratory, Kilrea. (Mass can be viewed via the parish webcam https://www.mcnmedia.tv/Camera/kilrea,-st-annes-oratory,-diocese-of-derry-kilrea). Interment afterwards in Our Lady of the Assumption Cemetery, Aghadowey. May her gentle Soul rest in peace. Deeply regretted by the entire Dempsey and McAleese family circle. Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu, if desired, to Aware c/o McKiernan & Sons, 45-47 Maghera Street, Kilrea. BT51 5QL.

Michelle Doherty (née Doherty), 63 Ballyrogan Road, Ballerin (Updated arrangements)

The death has taken place of Michelle Doherty (née Doherty), 19th September 2023, peacefully at Causeway Hospital, beloved wife of David (DD) and loving mother of Riona. Much loved daughter of James and Margaret and dear sister of David. House Private Please. Family and close friends only welcome to call. Funeral from her late residence, 63 Ballyrogan Road, on Friday at 11.15am (travelling via Liscall Road/Ballerin Park Road) for 12noon Requiem Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Ballerin. (Mass will be broadcast live on the parish website http://www.errigalparish.com/media.html). A private Cremation service will take place at a later date. St. Jude pray for her. Deeply regretted by the entire Doherty Families. No flowers please. Donations in lieu, if desired to Rainbow Rehoming Centre for Rescue Cats and Dogs c/o McKiernan & Sons, 45-47 Maghera Street, Kilrea. BT51 5QL.

Rev. Fr. John Downey, (Moneyneena) Derry

The death has taken place of Rev. Fr. John Downey, beloved brother of Pat, Ann, Jacinta, Roma and the late Lawrence. Fr. Downey's remains will be removed to St Eugene's Church, Moneyneena on Wednesday morning for Mass at 11.00am where he will lie in repose until the recitation of The Rosary at 9.00pm. Requiem Mass and Office for the Dead at 12.00noon in St. Eugene's, Moneyneena on Thursday, 21st September followed by interment in the City Cemetery, Derry. Our Lady of Fatima intercede for him. May he rest in peace.

David Paul Gwynne, 131 Edenbane Road, Kilrea

The death has taken place of David Paul Gwynne (Kilrea), 19th September 2023, peacefully at hospital, late of 131 Edenbane Road, Kilrea. Beloved husband of Carole; loving father of Steven and Neil, father-in-law of Katherine and much-loved grandfather of Erin and Grace. Son of the late Joshua and Sally and dear brother of Timothy, Christopher, Janet, John and Melody. House and funeral strictly private. No flowers please. Donations in lieu, if desired to, AWARE c/o McKiernan & Sons, 45-47 Maghera Street, Kilrea. BT51 5QL. “The Lord is My Shepherd”

Martin (Gander) McClelland, Derry

The death has occurred of Martin (Gander) McClelland, 19th September 2023, beloved son of the late Alphonsus and Margaret, loving brother of Christy, Colm, Harry, Ann and the late Tony and Liam and a much loved uncle. Funeral from his sister’s home, 18 Drumleck Gardens, Shantallow, on Thursday at 9.30am for 10o’clock Requiem Mass in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Steelstown. Interment afterwards in St Mary’s Cemetery, Ardmore. Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on his soul.

Robert Charles Hamilton Sparks, Limavady

The death has taken place of Robert Charles Hamilton Sparks, passed away peacefully at Altnagelvin Hospital on 17th September 2023. Much loved Husband of Joan, loving father of Linda, Paul, dear father in law of Stephen and Shahzya, devoted grandfather of Adam, Amy, Harris. House private. Funeral service in Derramore Presbyterian Church on Friday, 22nd September at 11.00am, Teas will be held in the Church Hall immediately after. Followed by Cremation at Roselawn Crematorium Belfast at 4.40pm. Family flowers only please donations if desired and cheques payable to NI Chest, Heart and Stroke and forwarded to Browns Funeral Directors, 21 Aghanloo Ind Est, Aghanloo Road, Limavady. Will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his entire family circle.

James (Lyle) Watson Todd, 51 Trench Road, Derry

The death has occurred of James (Lyle) Watson Todd, 18th September 2023, peacefully at his home, 51 Trench Road, surrounded by his loving family. Dearly beloved husband of Sylvia and a much-loved father of Alison, Nicola, Julie and Lesley-Ann. Father-in-law of Graham, Martyn, Jimmy and Stephen, and a devoted Granda of Lyle, Ellie, James, Lily, Maisie, Finn and Eric. A loved brother and brother-in-law. A funeral service will take place on Thursday, 21st September 2023 in Glendermott Presbyterian Church at 1.00pm, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. Family time please from 9.00pm to 12noon. House private. Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu of flowers to Marie Curie Cancer Care c/o Joan Doherty, 20 Dunhugh Park, Derry, BT47 2NL. All enquiries to Adair & Neely Funeral Directors, 028 71311321. Lyle will be sadly missed by his entire family circle and friends. In heavenly love abiding.

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