Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Damien Edgar & Anita McSorley

Community heartbroken at death of 'much loved' teacher who 'made lives richer for having met her'

Heartbreaking tributes are being paid to a "much loved" teacher who died on Thursday.

Marie McBride has been described as "inspirational" by De La Salle College - an all-boys Catholic school in Belfast - where she taught for 17 years.

The school, teachers, pupils and parents have been leading tributes to the mum-of-two.

READ MORE:Met Eireann forecast snow chaos risk as freezing Arctic blast to give Ireland ‘shock to the system’

A statement issued by the school reads: "Our school community is heartbroken at the loss of Miss Marie McBride who died on the 2 March," a school statement read.

"Not only was she a much loved and inspirational teacher of English and Media Studies in our school for the past seventeen years but she was also a strong advocate for social justice and concern for others.

"She embodied the very best of what it means to be a Lasallian teacher and will be remembered fondly by her pupils and staff for her selfless acts of kindness, her creativity and her enthusiasm for instilling a love of reading and poetry in her pupils.

"She even brought her own collection of books into her classroom to encourage her pupils to love reading as much as she did.

"It is hard to overestimate the positive impact that her life and work had on those who knew her.

"A quotation by E.E Cummings on her classroom wall sums up her warm and caring spirit - 'I carry your heart with me, (I carry it in my heart)'.

"Marie will be sorely missed by pupils, staff and the wider school community.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Marie, her family and friends at this time.

"St Jean Baptiste De La Salle, pray for her. May she rest in peace."

A past pupil described Miss McBride as "beautifully caring", while another said she was "the best teacher", Belfast Live reports.

One former pupil said: "I still have the book she gave me, I will treasure it forever. Our lives are all the richer for having met her."

Funeral arrangements are due to be announced at a later date.

Her death notice reads: "Adored mother of Elise and Culann, loved partner of Seán, beloved daughter of Anne and Patrick, much loved sister of Róisín, Ciara and Patrick, also beloved aunt of Drithle, Luisne, Anna, Ruadan and Connla, loved sister-in- law of Gearóid, Maxi and Máedhbh. R.I.P.

"Funeral arrangements later. St Pio pray for her. Deeply regretted by her entire family circle."

READ NEXT:

Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.