A Belfast theatre company has had an outpouring of reaction to their heartwarming tributes after the death of their friend and colleague.
Described as an "amazing woman, a great friend and an incredible wife and mother", Donna McGarry, 57, will be remembered by most for her charisma, humour and passion for drama.
Writing on social media, Brassneck Theatre Company described the Ardoyne woman as having a huge heart but an even bigger personality.
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They wrote: "Donna has been taken from us far too soon and although our hearts are heavy tonight, we are so thankful that she stepped into our lives.
"Donna was one of the founding members of Brassneck and lead from the front as one of our original board members. It was as a member of that board, that she brought to the company, a script that she was working on along with Brenda Murphy. This script was a one woman show called ‘A Night With George’.
"We loved it instantly and went about finding an actor with enough power to play such a role. It was at this point that Donna informed us that we had £400 in the bank and ‘good luck finding someone’!
"Then the stars aligned when another board member suggested that Donna should play the role. Donna had played roles before in many Dubbeljoint/Just Us productions in the past, but never anywhere close to the undertaking of a feature-length, one woman show.
"After much toing and froing (and with the knowledge that we were skint), we agreed that Donna would play the role. It seemed like the biggest gamble ever, but as soon as rehearsals began, we knew that this was the easiest decision we had ever made.
"Opening night at the Roddy's then, as our Artistic Director took to the stage to announce the play, the set fell down on top of him. A great start.
"The house brought down before we even began. With the help of the entire front row of the audience, the set was re-established and the play could commence and 90 minutes later, we witnessed the biggest and longest standing ovation that we had ever received.
"None of us could have ever imagined in our wildest dreams, just what an incredible piece of theatre this would turn out to be.
"The strong, beautiful, warm, intelligent, astute, take-no-bullsh** character of Bridie Murphy that Donna had brought to life, from page to stage, rocked the roof off The Roddy's. The only woman in the history of theatre to have brought the house down twice in the same night."
The show quickly moved from The Roddy's to The Waterfront hall, selling out before it had even opened, which brought an Aisling Award to Donna's door.
"The main stage of The Lyric would soon be conquered by Donna before she stormed the Grand Opera House, completely selling the place out," Brassneck continued.
"On opening night, Donna’s mother proudly proclaimed to us in the foyer, 'that's my daughter!'
"The show would then fly even higher, ending up Off-Broadway in New York City at The Times Square Arts Centre where it ran every night for four whole weeks as part of the NY Irish Theatre Festival. (We won’t mention about being held at immigration and using George Clooney as an excuse)."
‘A Night With George’ would go on to pick up the Best Play award at the festival in NYC as voted for by audiences and was awarded to Donna at a prestigious ceremony by Hollywood A-lister, Gabriel Byrne.
"Donna had many strong attributes, but her best performances were off stage as seen through her huge personality and her even bigger heart, if you were ever lucky enough to be in her company.
"These attributes shone just as brightly when she would take the stage in front of an audience of 1000, as they would sitting in a bar with Donna amongst friends in Donegal. ‘A night with Donna’ was never dull and always memorable.
"Donna has been taken from us far too soon and although our hearts are heavy tonight, we are so thankful that she stepped into our lives, filled them with much joy and laughter and made us and our theatre company what we are today.
"We hope that you are enjoying a wee ‘Belfast Martini’ up there tonight Donna, ‘Summering in Tuscany’ with your ‘6 black & 6 white’.
"We at Brassneck Theatre Company are eternally grateful, honoured and proud to have called you a comrade and we will cherish forever all the beautiful memories that you shared with us Donna.
"Your pain is gone but you will live on through us. That will never be in doubt. An amazing woman, a great friend and an incredible wife and mother. We will never forget you big mamma.
"We would like to take this opportunity to extend our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to Donna’s loving husband Jack, son Jack, daughter Grace, grandchildren and her extended family."
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