Pauline Costigan was a loving and generous constant in our lives, through times of tragedy and celebration.
Having never known a time when Pauline was not a family friend and neighbour, the day she died, June 25, was sadly the end of an era in Dunkeld Avenue, our Derry street.
Simply put, she was the very best of friends and neighbours, the very best.
Pauline was the beloved daughter of the late Tom and Christina and a loving sister of Thomas and Gerard. She died peacefully, in Altnagelvin Hospital, following an illness which she bore with incredible fortitude.
Delivering the eulogy at her requiem Mass in St Brigid’s Church, Carnhill, Gerard fondly remembered her panache and her devotion to her family and friends.
Pauline was born in Lifford, Co Donegal in 1948 and her brother recalled her as a “vibrant, intelligent teenager, going over to Strabane, full of life and enthusiasm”.
She lived most of her life with illness but, as Gerard emphasised, “it did not define her”.
She went on to have a great career as an office manager in the Insurance Corporation of Ireland.
“Pauline also minded our mother and father until they died in 1982 and 1984 respectively. And then, she minded her Aunt Josie,” Gerard said.
“But then, in May 1986, an incredible and enduring chapter opened in Pauline’s life, and indeed my own – the birth of my daughter, Claire. Pauline arrived off the bus in Dublin to celebrate the birth of Claire, but we also celebrated her retirement, and it was during that particular time, Pauline’s life really began.
“She quickly established her incredible café culture routine – the elevenses, the lunches in Austin’s – with her circle of like-minded friends. Pauline knew every single restaurant in Derry where you could get a decent lunch, but woe betide you if there wasn’t turkey and ham and trifle on the menu.
Pauline knew every single restaurant in Derry where you could get a decent lunch, but woe betide you if there wasn’t turkey and ham and trifle on the menu
“It got to the stage were we daren’t ring Pauline on particular days because we knew Josephine was coming up, or Philomena, or Noirin.”
Pauline was a true fashionista. We used to love seeing her coming across the street with her Austin’s bags to show us her latest purchases.
She also enjoyed an occasional flutter at the races, with Gerard saying they shared many trips to Leopardstown, the Curragh and Galway.
“Pauline was such a devoted aunt and sister and friend to so many,” he said.
“Each year, from August onwards, around 6 o’clock a lot of evenings, we’d get these phone calls asking what she should get our girls for Christmas and when she arrived in Dublin in December, the case was absolutely packed.
“Pauline spent every Christmas since 1984 with Phil and me and the girls and, as in Derry, she made many friends.
“She would arrive with us and be in the house 30 minutes and then suddenly she’d be gone, to our next door neighbour Frances, and from there on to one or two other neighbours. Pauline loved people, and as was evidenced at her wake, they loved her.”
He added: “Pauline has left the room but only to find the best coffee shop, the best turkey and ham and the best trifle in Heaven. Pauline, we love you.”