Miss Margaret Magorrian

THE death of Miss Margaret E Magorrian at her home, 17 Movilla Road, Downpatrick, on September 16 has been widely mourned. She was 86.

Margaret was born in New York in 1932, the daughter of Allen and Lillian (née Valentine).

She first visited Ireland at the age of 23 and continued to visit her aunts, uncles and cousins on a yearly basis, if not more often, for occasions such as baptisms, weddings and graduations until she retired to Downpatrick in 1989.

Having graduated from high school in St Patrick’s Cathedral, 5th Avenue, New York, she had various jobs before joining Chase Manhattan Bank where she rose to the position of Vice President of IT at the beginning of the digital era.  She was admired by colleagues for her integrity, professional knowledge, fairness and kindness.

In her retirement she continued to travel, visiting as far afield as Australia and completed a round the world trip, as well as many cruises with her cousins.

She was a regular attender at Downpatrick Folk Club where she made many friends. She was a long term member of the Friends of Down County Museum and a great supporter of Downpatrick and Co Down Railway.

Her dedication to her immediate family was remarkable. She kept in touch with godchildren on both sides of the Atlantic and  she held her cousins in Downpatrick very dearly. Her death is deeply regretted and she is sadly missed by all.

Requiem mass in St Patrick’s Church, Downpatrick, on September 18 was conducted by Father Maurice Henry.

She is survived by her brothers, Thomas and Vincent, and sister Helen, and predeceased by brothers Allen and James.

Margaret’s Month’s Mind Mass will be celebrated this Friday, October 12, at 7.30pm in St Patrick’s Church, Downpatrick.