Notebook and pen tell the story as Marion O'Mara is laid to rest

An early morning August shower gave way to fitting Thursday sunshine in Tramore as renowned Waterford News & Star journalist Marion O'Mara was laid to rest in the town she loved and served throughout her 72 years.

Family, friends, former colleagues and neighbours gathered at Holy Cross Church to bid a final farewell to the esteemed journalist, whose life was defined by service to her community, devotion to her family and an unwavering commitment to telling the stories of others.

At the beginning of the Funeral Mass, celebrated by Fr Isaac John, Curate at the Holy Cross Church, two simple symbols, a notebook and a pen, were brought to the altar, reflecting Marion's distinguished 45-year career in journalism and her lifelong dedication to recording the lives and events of her community.

In his homily, Fr Isaac reflected on a life marked by faith, hard work, generosity and love.

He recalled how Marion and her husband Jim shared 49 years of marriage after first meeting 51 years ago, building a life founded on "family, loyalty, friendship and love".

Describing her as genuine, direct and hardworking, Fr Isaac told mourners that Marion approached everything she undertook with determination and commitment.

"She put her heart, head and every effort into everything she did," he said.

A lifelong Tramore woman, Marion spent 45 years with the Waterford News & Star, where she became one of the newspaper's most respected reporters and later deputy editor. During her career, she interviewed countless personalities, including priests, bishops and former Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald.

"Her journalism was not simply a profession. It was one of the ways she served and contributed to the community she loved," Fr Isaac said.

While she achieved much professionally, family was always at the heart of her life.

Fr Isaac recalled Jim's memories of the birth of their daughter Jennifer, while Jennifer remembered a mother who always put family first, travelling throughout Ireland and Britain to support her daughter at Irish dancing and rugby events and encouraging her to pursue a career in speech therapy.

The priest also spoke movingly of Marion's caring nature, recalling how she cared for her mother, Josie, in her own home for more than 20 years.

"She was a woman who showed her love through practical care, presence and service," he said.

Her strong faith remained an important source of comfort throughout her life, particularly during her illness, while the arrival of granddaughters Niamh and Aoife brought immense joy to her later years. Fr Isaac recalled how her son-in-law, Eoin, described the birth of Marion's first grandchild as one of the happiest moments he had ever witnessed in her life.

Even after retirement, Marion remained committed to serving others through her involvement with the Waterford Older People's Council and Tramore Tidy Towns. She also returned to education, embracing new opportunities with characteristic enthusiasm.

It was during this period that she received the devastating diagnosis of a brain tumour. Despite her illness, she completed her studies and, Fr Isaac said, faced more than two years of treatment with remarkable bravery, dignity and determination, supported throughout by her loving family.

Following the homily, former Waterford News & Star colleague and close friend Helen Coughlan delivered a heartfelt tribute on behalf of the family.

Describing Marion as "Tramore through and through", Ms Coughlan said her connection to her hometown never wavered.

"She was born here, she was raised here, and she spent all her life here. Tramore was in her blood, and it was in everything she did," she said.

Reflecting on Marion's journalism career, Ms Coughlan said she belonged to a generation of reporters who regarded journalism as a public trust.

"Accuracy mattered to her, integrity mattered to her. People trusted what appeared under Marion's name because she had earned that trust."

She described Marion as "straight-talking, courageous, blunt at times" and a woman who "didn't suffer fools gladly", but said behind that reputation was someone who was deeply kind, generous and supportive.

"I had the great privilege of working with Marion in the 1990s when I was a junior reporter and she acted as a great mentor for me and for countless other journalists who followed in the News & Star."

Retirement, Ms Coughlan said, marked the beginning of another busy chapter as Marion returned to education, volunteered in her community and became a powerful advocate for older people in Waterford.

Yet, for all her professional and community achievements, Marion's greatest pride was her family.

"Jim and Jennifer were the love and light of her life," Ms Coughlan said.

When granddaughters Niamh and Aoife arrived, she added, "there was a joy in her that seemed to overflow".

Speaking of Marion's illness, Ms Coughlan said her greatest sadness was not for herself but for the time she knew she would miss with her beloved granddaughters.

"It was never about herself. It was about the time she would miss with them. That was a measure of her love."

She also remembered Marion's love of sport, particularly Munster Rugby, including a memorable trip to South Africa to celebrate her 70th birthday following the province she adored alongside Jim.

"She fought her illness bravely and she never once complained, not once. She faced what came with the same quiet strength that she had brought to everything in her life," Ms Coughlan said.

The family also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the community palliative care team and the night nurse service for the exceptional kindness and support shown to Marion and her loved ones in her final weeks.

As the Funeral Mass drew to a close, Marion's coffin was carried shoulder-high from Holy Cross Church by family members and loved ones as Vanessa Whelan sang Going Home.

The earlier August shower had given way to bright sunshine by the time the funeral cortege reached the adjoining cemetery. There, family and friends gathered for the final prayers before Colm T. Wilkinson's powerful rendition of Bring Him Home was played at the graveside.

It marked a poignant farewell to a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, journalist, and community advocate whose legacy of integrity, compassion, and service will long endure in the town she loved, the city she loved, and the lives she touched.

Farewell, our fearless champion, and thank you for the wonderful memories.