Carlow mourns Sally McDonald of Kilkenny Road, Carlow
The late Sally McDonald who was known for her commitment to her community
THE death on Tuesday last, 26 August, at SignaCare, Killerig of Sally McDonald, Ballinacarrig, Carlow, marks the passing of a remarkable woman, who was always at the heart of family life while making a huge contribution to her local community.
The former Sally Doyle was born in Dublin’s Portobello Nursing Home on 14 October 1944, to Valerie and Dr Brendan Doyle.
She was raised in Burrin Street, Carlow in her early years and later in Grosvenor, Kilkenny Road, Carlow.
The eldest in a family of seven - four boys, three girls - Sally attended the Mercy primary school, Carlow and went as a boarder to the Dominican Convent Sisters in Sion Hill, Blackrock, Dublin.
She took a summer job as a junior reporter at the Carlow Nationalist in the early 1960s.
Sally finally sided with embarking on a teaching career in physical education, strongly influenced by her interest in PE and love of sport.
She taught at St Leo’s, Carlow and in schools in Portlaoise, Portarlington, Callan, Nurney (Kildare), Enniscorthy and Wexford.
Sally had an immense love for all things Carlow, especially noted for her deeply caring and empathetic nature towards young and old alike.
Throughout her life she threw herself wholeheartedly into a plethora of causes, organisations and projects in her native town, and was a driving force behind Carlow’s Pride Festival.
Last Thursday afternoon, long queues formed in the grounds of Healy’s Funeral Home, Pollerton Castle where Sally reposed.
The huge crowds bore testament to the immense popularity she enjoyed from a wide cross section of Carlow society.
Her funeral Mass took place on Friday morning in Carlow’s Cathedral of the Assumption and she was laid to rest in Tinryland cemetery.
She is deeply mourned by her husband Larry, children Karen, Fergal, Brona, Lisa, Keelin and Ross, brothers Larry and Mark, her 15 grandchildren and extended family.
Full obituary next week.
