Funeral of compassionate Mayo-born nurse who died tragically

The organs of “caring and compassionate” former nurse Marie Pollard (née Farragher), who died in the Mater Hospital Dublin from injuries sustained in a road accident, were donated for transplant, it was revealed at her Funeral Mass in her adopted Castlegar, Co. Galway, today.

One of Marie's brothers, Tuam based Fr. Pat Farragher, sadly recalled at the service in St. Columba’s Church, Castlegar: “Masses were offered for Marie’s recovery. But despite the best care of hospital staff it was not to be.

“We said goodbye to Marie before she went for organ donation."

Another of Marie's brothers, Fr. Stephen Farragher, P.P. Ballyhaunis, was the main celebrant of the Requiem Mass in St. Columba’s Church, Castlegar.

Recalling his sister’s past life as a volunteer working for Concern in Thailand and Bangladesh, Fr. Stephen said she then spent 36 years as a nurse attached to University Hospital Galway prior to her retirement.

Quoting from one of the many tributes paid online to his sister following her death, Fr. Farragher said she had been a strong role model, an independent thinker and an inspirational motivator.

Addressing his sister’s grieving family, husband, Tom, and children, Sarah, Gearoid and Mark, Fr. Farragher told them: “You are her pride and joy, the centre of her life."

A number of symbols were brought to the altar, representing the former nurse’s life.

These included a bowl of clay from the family farm in The Neale where Marie was born and reared.

Later, as the remains were laid to rest, the clay was sprinkled on the coffin.

“Her rootedness and strong sense of identity were nurtured in the place of her birth and childhood," Fr. Pat Farragher explained to the congregation.

The bowl of clay was carried to the altar by Molly, one of the deceased’s nieces. Molly travelled with her family from Los Angeles for the funeral.

Also carried to the altar were the former nurse’s scrubs and uniform, representing her vocation as a theatre nurse.

Amongst the overflow congregation was Archbishop Francis Duffy, Archbishop of Tuam, and Bishop Fintan Monahan of Killaloe.

Past and present nurses at Galway University Hospital gathered in the church and outside to pay their last respects to a valued and respected colleague.

Following Requiem Mass the remains were brought to Renville Cemetery, Oranmore, for interment.

Marie Pollard (née Farragher) lost her life after being hit by a motorcycle at the Beresford Place/Eden Quay junction in Dublin on the morning of Wednesday, November 9.

She was rushed to The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital to be treated for her injuries, where she later passed away last Friday.

Originally from The Neale, Marie resided in Bruckey, Castlegar in Co. Galway, where she worked as a theatre nurse in University Hospital Galway until her retirement.

Marie is survived by her husband Tom, daughter Sarah, sons Gearóid and Mark, sisters Claire and Helen, brothers Fr. Stephen, P.P. Ballyhaunis, Seán, Fr. Pat, A.D.M. Tuam, and David, parents-in-law Tommy and Mary, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephew, relatives, neighbours, and a wide circle of friends, to whom deepest sympathy is tendered.

May her gentle soul rest in peace.