Donna McCloskey remembered affectionately at Strathfoyle Women’s Activity Group

A fundraising coffee morning in memory of Donna McCloskey, affectionately known as ‘Wee Donna’ has taken place in Strathfoyle Women’s Activity Group (SWAG).

The very well attended event in aid of Cancer Research took place on Monday morning and raised £1,000.

Sadly, Donna died at Christmas past, devastating everyone who knew her.

During the morning Donna’s former SWAG colleagues shared their memories of her through tears and much laughter.

Speaking to The Derry News, crèche co-ordinator, Ann Montgomery said she had so many good memories of Donna it was hard to pick out just one.

“We had so many brilliant staff nights out together over the years but the one that really stands out for me was during a trip to Bruges, in Belgium with the Foyle Women’s Information Group,” said Ann, smiling.

IN PICTURES: Strathfoyle Women's Group Coffee Morning celebrates life of Donna

A morning of coffee, conversation, and community spirit as Strathfoyle pays tribute to a much-loved local woman

Coffee Morning in memory of 'Wee Donna'

All donations raised going to Cancer Research

“Well, I lost my passport. It was in my handbag which had been stolen. We were coming home the next day but because I was with Donna, we laughed all night about it. We laughed and laughed and laughed. We went out for the night and Donna made it fun for me, so I wouldn’t worry because in the morning I wouldn’t have been able to get on the plane,” she added.

“We went back to the club where my bag had been stolen and Donna insisted in no uncertain terms they look at their CCTV and see who had taken my bag.

“If it hadn’t been for Donna, I wouldn’t have got my bag back. We laughed all night because she was trying to keep my spirits up and in the morning, the police landed at our hotel. The whole itinerary for the trip was in my bag so they knew where to go to return my bag.

“Another thing I remember about Donna is that she always took time with the older people. She took time with everybody,” said Ann.

Former SWAG development officer, Lorna Porter said her standout memory of Donna was her kindness to the children in the crèche or parent and toddler group.

“She loved all the wee ones,” added Lorna. “Even my own children have great memories of Donna. She just loved them.

“Donna trained as a reflexologist and she used to give my youngest child a treatment any time she came in. My wee girl, Annie, is now 18 and she remembers getting her feet massaged by Donna and she loved it.

“Annie turned 18 just before Christmas and Donna sent me a wee message to wish her a happy birthday and I sent Donna back a photograph of her doing Annie’s feet. It was lovely. Unfortunately Donna took sick shortly after,” said Lorna.

Catherine Farimond, a former assistant crèche co-ordinator in SWAG, recalled how Donna always took time to come into the crèche.

“If we were busy, even if she was doing her finance or admin work. She always came down, she always came in to see the wee ones. She always spent a bit of time with them. That is what I remember,” said Catherine.

“I remember Donna’s kindness and also her fun. Donna was fun,” she added.

Current crèche co-ordinator, Martina Jenkins said: “Wee Donna just loved everybody who came into the SWAG centre.

“She knew everybody’s name. She was so caring. She was a wee darling and she loved my mac and cheese,” smiled Martina.

“The success of SWAG is due in no small part to Donna’s presence and hard work. That is her legacy. She knew everybody and everybody just loved her,” added Martina.

Mrs Ann Watson, a stalwart of SWAG over the years, described Donna as a “kind and thoughtful person”.

“Anywhere the women’s group was going, she always picked me up. A couple of mornings she forgot to pick me up for work and she would have landed at Maydown before she remembered and I would get a phone call to say she’d be back for me!

“Donna was just a lovely person,” said Ann.

Donna was also responsible for transcribing a series of interviews carried out with the members of SWAG’s older persons’ Positive Ageing Programme group, which were turned into a book - ‘Yesteryears’.

Ann Montgomery’s mum, Cecilia was one of the interviewees.

“The women spoke about their memories of life, growing up, wee things they did, how they met their husbands, and wee child rearing tips they might have had. Really their stories from years ago,” said Ann.

“Each woman told her story and Donna typed every one of them up and the book is still here,” she smiled.

“Some of the women have since passed on but the book will always be here, with all of their stories.”

Now grown up, Paul Lowry who was at Donna's Coffee Morning fondly recalled coming to Parent and Toddler at the Women's Centre with his mum and then coming back over the years.

"I'll always remember how friendly Donna was and how welcoming whenever I visited her at SWAG. She took a genuine interest in whatever I was up to," said Paul. "Donna was always laughing, even after all she had been through, and that really said a lot about her. Donna will be missed by many. 

Writing in the Book of Condolence opened for Donna, one woman wrote: "Donna, just an absolute dote who I had the pleasure of meeting during a time in my life when I reached out to the Women's Centre during my breast cancer treatment.

"To say Donna was an angel in disguise would be an understatement," she added.

"Always with a smile on her warm, kind face and pleasent words flowing from her lips. 

"This group, the ladies and children who passed through it during Donna's time here, are all the richer for having met and known her. Rest easy lovely lady. Give strength to those who need it , from you most. The pleasure was mine."