It's with profound sadness that we share the passing of Dearbhla Gill, a cherished pillar of the Rosses Point community in County Sligo, whose gentle spirit touched so many lives—leaving us all to wonder how we'll carry on without her guiding light. As the dedicated Principal Teacher at S.N. Réalt na Mara, the local national school in Rosses Point, Dearbhla devoted her career to nurturing young minds, fostering creativity and kindness in her students over the years. She slipped away peacefully on December 2, 2025, at the North West Hospice in Sligo, enveloped by the warmth of her devoted family, after facing her illness with remarkable grace, strength, and unyielding dignity that inspired everyone around her.
Dearbhla was preceded in death by her dearly loved father, John Gill, a loss that undoubtedly shaped her resilient heart. She leaves behind a grieving family who will miss her every single day: her devoted mother, Cáit, who was her rock; her siblings Brian, Róisín, and John, each holding irreplaceable memories of her; sisters-in-law Niamh and Sheila, who shared in the family's joys and sorrows; and her absolutely adored nephews and nieces—Jarlath, Amélie Jane, Aidan, Alice, Arann, and Aoife—whose laughter and energy brought her so much delight. Beyond her immediate circle, she'll be deeply mourned by a wide network of relatives, close friends, kind neighbors, esteemed colleagues from the school, and both current and former pupils whose lives she helped shape with her wisdom and care.
May she rest in eternal peace—suaimhneas síoraí dá hanam dhílís, as the traditional Irish blessing so aptly puts it, offering solace in her memory.
To honor Dearbhla's life, her family invites you to pay your respects at Seán Feehily’s Funeral Home on Cartron Cross in Sligo (F91 EH98). Reposing will take place from 4pm to 7pm on Friday, December 5, followed by a removal to St. Columba’s Church in Rosses Point, where she'll arrive at 8pm. The following day, on Saturday, December 6, a Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 12 noon—a beautiful service celebrating her journey to eternal life—after which burial will occur in the peaceful Rosses Point Cemetery nearby.
In keeping with the family's wishes, please send only family flowers. Instead, if you'd like to make a meaningful tribute, consider donations in Dearbhla's name to the North West Hospice in Sligo, which provided such compassionate care during her final days, or to SHOUT, the Sligo Hospital Oncology Unit Trust, supporting vital cancer care services in the region. These organizations make a real difference, helping others face similar challenges with the same dignity Dearbhla showed. You can also leave condolence messages online in the obituary section at www.feehilys.ie or through more traditional means—your words of comfort will mean the world to her family. For any questions, reach out to Seán Feehily’s Funeral Home at Cartron Cross, Sligo, by calling 071 9159999.
But here's where it gets a little controversial in our fast-paced world: in an era where we often rush past moments of true community connection, events like this remind us of the profound bonds that tie us together—should we be doing more to celebrate educators like Dearbhla who quietly build our future, or is it enough to honor them only in loss? And this is the part most people miss: her courage against illness wasn't just personal; it highlighted the unsung heroes in hospices everywhere. What do you think—have you experienced a community figure's passing that reshaped how you view loss, or do you believe we need bolder ways to support end-of-life care? Share your thoughts in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you agree or have a different take.
