Mourners told Peggy McGuinness was a patriot with ‘a deep faith’
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
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The mother of deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness was today described as “a woman of substance” and a patriot with a deep faith as she was laid to rest.
Hundreds of dignitaries, politicians, neighbours and friends of Peggy McGuinness and her family packed into the Long Tower Church in the Bogside area this morning for her funeral Mass.
Mrs McGuinness died at 7am on Monday at her Elmwood Street home following a short illness. She was 84.
Sinn Fein MLAs for Foyle have paid tribute to the woman this week, describing her as a life-long republican, while SDLP leader Mark Durkan described her as a “very kindly woman with real charm”.
Speaking at her funeral in St Columba’s chapel, the Rev Roland Colhoun said: “At this morning’s requiem we honour with Christian burial Peggy McGuinness, a very good woman who had a profound understanding of life and death, a woman who knew that this life is merely a preparation for death and new life.
“Born and reared in Buncrana, she has spent a lifetime in Derry. Coming from a family of nine, a very talented person, she worked hard all her days, reared a family of seven, with 21 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren to be proud of.”
Fr Colhoun said Mrs McGuinness had shown “tremendous tenacity” in her approach to life, adding that with “constant determination she put her family first in her heart and in her home”.
He said: “Her neighbours too speak of her many thoughtful deeds, showing constant consideration for them.
“This generosity was the fruit of her deep faith and well-practised Sacramental life, the reward of which was receiving Absolution just hours before she died.
“A widow for 35 years, Peggy accepted any hardship that came her way. Because she was kindly all her life, her gentle approach to sickness was a natural subsequence. Peggy’s sickness was very recent but she accepted it.”
Mrs McGuinness was due to be laid to rest this afternoon at St Mary’s Church Cemetery, Cockhill, in her native Buncrana.
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I'm sorry for your lost martin.
Posted by conor hughes | 31.10.08, 21:50 GMT
R.I.P Mrs McGuinness, chin up Martin, my thoughts are with you and yours.
Posted by Sam P | 12.10.08, 18:36 GMT
My condoleanses. Maria
Posted by Maria T-K, Moskwa | 10.10.08, 17:38 GMT
Martin,
I lost my mother this year also. It has been a long hard road back but I am getting there, and you will too.
We met in Cleveland Ohio a few years ago and our picture together is on top of my television. My mother and your mother sound a lot alike. Faithful, loving, and supportive. We talked evryday also and my heart aches for your loss.
Posted by Casey | 08.10.08, 21:53 GMT
Paul...did the McGuinness family suffer more during the troubles than any other family in Northern Ireland? I don't think so. Every family living in our little country during those 30 years suffered in one way or another.
RIP Mrs McGuinness
Posted by Raki Diva | 08.10.08, 16:42 GMT
Very sorry to hear of Peggy's death, though she would have died a very proud woman seeing her son as first minister for the north. Who would have dreamed of it in 1980? I'm sure she suffered along with all of the Guinness family for their part in our struggle.
Posted by paul | 07.10.08, 08:14 GMT
My condolences to Martin and the McGuinness Family on your
great lost. May she rest in peace,
Jimmy Q. N.Y.C.
Posted by Jimmy Q | 07.10.08, 04:11 GMT
my mother's name was peggy mc ginniss also - she, like mrs mcguinness was a lovley lady. Maybe they will meet up in heaven.
Posted by frank | 06.10.08, 22:00 GMT
i once heard that martin mcguinness phoned his mother everyday as do i ,without fail...my deepest sympathy to the mcguinnes family
Posted by sylvia doherty | 06.10.08, 17:43 GMT
he lost a good friend, and a good mother will say a prayer
Posted by bettyogbebor | 06.10.08, 17:38 GMT
This has to be the saddest moment for anyone to lose there mother. My total condolences to you Martin and your family. And with this I just hope this will give you the strenglth to fufill your position in office.
Posted by martin blythe | 06.10.08, 16:54 GMT
May God bless you and keep you, Martin McGuinness.
Posted by JerryF | 06.10.08, 16:40 GMT
It must have been a great source of pride for her to see her son play such an important role in the present peace process. I hope that just as the death of John Divine Sr inspired the Tyrone team to win the All-Ireland GAA football final in Dublin, that in someway the death of this gentle woman may inspire Sinn Fein to find a way to move forward with the DUP through the present political impasse.
May her gentle soul rest in peace.
Posted by John Taggart | 06.10.08, 16:34 GMT
Mr. McGuinness,
We were very sorry to hear of the death of your mom. She was well regarded here in Boston.
Posted by Francie | 06.10.08, 16:10 GMT
To lose a mother is to lose part of ones self my condolences to all her family
Posted by Caroline | 06.10.08, 15:58 GMT