County Derry teacher who died suddenly was ‘a natural’ and ‘an inspiration’ to her pupils

A popular teacher from County Derry who died suddenly earlier this week was ‘a natural’ and ‘an inspiration’ to her pupils, her funeral has heard.

Imelda Bannon, a year four teacher at St Eoghan’s Primary School in Moneyneena, died on Monday, August 4. 

The Swatragh mum-of-four’s funeral took place in St. John the Baptist Church, Granaghan earlier this morning.

As hundreds of family, friends and colleagues of the 42 year-old packed into the church to pay their final respects, Parish Priest Fr Charlie Keaney said: “There are no easy words today, no explanation that can fully make sense of this tragedy or take away the pain.”

Symbols representing Imelda’s life were placed on the altar.  They included a family photograph, her book from school and items which represented her love of sport and her local GAA club, Michael Davitt’s GAC in Swatragh.  A pair of runners were also placed alongside the items, a representation of Imelda’s interest in keeping fit.

Fr Keaney stated that Imelda’s death ‘does not define her life’.

“Imelda Bannon’s life was filled with love and joy and beauty and blessings.  She was a caring and devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend.  Life was a celebration.  So many glorious memories in her home if you look at all those photographs of happy times, the joy, the light,” he said.

Referring to her job as a primary school teacher, Fr Keaney stated that she was loved by all her pupils and colleagues.

“She was a natural, an inspiration.  Her classroom was a place of creativity and safety, cheerfulness.  It was a home from home for all her pupils in year four preparing them for first penance, First Holy Communion.  Yes, I think that better describes the Imelda that we know and love so much.”

Fr Keaney expressed his condolences to Imelda’s husband Robert saying: “I know that your heart is broken beyond words, you’ve lost the love of your life.”

Offering some words of comfort to the couple’s children, Éadaoin, Bróna, Oisín and Áine, the priest continued: “Your mammy loved you so very, very much and just because she is gone that doesn’t mean the love has ended.  She still loves you the same way.  She lives on in your hearts, in your memories, in your laughter, in the way she and daddy brought you up.  You’ll hear stories about mammy, nice stories - keep them close to you, always.  At times when you are sad and when you are hurt you can talk about it and it’s okay to cry, we all cry.  It’s also okay to laugh because she would want you to live and grow and keep loving and be happy.”

Imelda’s late father Fergal McFlynn, passed away suddenly in October 2024 and Fr Keaney stated that the family had ‘faced a pain that no family should have to face’ 

“A double loss in so short a time, both in a heartbreaking way,” he said to Imelda’s mother Marian and siblings Paul, Gemma and Oran, continuing: “Know that you are not alone, we walk with you and of course God walks with you and nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.”  

Fr Keaney added that Imelda’s memory would be ‘a blessing’.

“This is not the end of Imelda’s story, she is now rightly and richly rewarded for her beautiful joy and her many kindnesses and the generosity of her love,” he said.

Imelda was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery following the Requiem Mass.