It was with great sadness that we learned on 21st January 2024 of the death of Dame Grand Officer Colette McGrady, mother of Very Reverend Feargal and widow of Malachy (M. B.).
Dame Colette was born in Ballykinlar, near Downpatrick in County Down in 1933. She met her late husband Malachy and married him in 1954. Their son, Fr Feargal, entered the Order in 1992 and Malachy and Colette became members the following year, 1993.
Having already visited the Holy Land before entering the Order, Colette and Malachy participated in a number of Order pilgrimages subsequently, receiving the Pilgrim Shell and forging new and long standing friendships.
Having both been deeply involved in their parish community and influential in wider civil life, their membership of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre extended their satisfaction in aiding the Church in the Holy Land. Malachy passed away at 90 years in 2017, and Colette on the 17th January this year.
In her own right, Colette was an energetic lady, raising six children and ably gathering others in charitable ventures. She was, as H.E the Lieutenant described her “decent, upright, kind, compassionate and utterly dependable lady.”
Her resilience in later years of illness inspired us all.
Tà Sí Imithe ar shlí na firinne.