MADAM,

IT was with great shock and sadness we learnt of the sudden and untimely death of Mary Davison, affectionately known as ‘Mary D’. Mary was a stalwart member and instructor of the St Paul’s Special School Riding for the Disabled Group. She was enormously enthusiastic, dedicated and dependable. As the instructor, she was very empathic with children who presented with a variety of special needs, she made the riding lesson interesting, fun and very beneficial for the young people. Under her tenure as instructor, a young boy won the runner-up prize for Rider of the Year on two occasions, and last year, another boy won the Rider of the Year prize and at the presentation declared it to be ‘the best day’ of his life.

Some years ago, Mary was the inspiration for our group’s trip to Dingle to see Fungie. The trip was a great success, so much so that St. Paul’s continued it for some years. Mary was loved and valued by us all and the staff and children of the St Paul’s RDA Group. We will miss her greatly but not as much as her sister Liz and brother John, her nieces and nephew. To them and to all who knew her, we offer our sincere sympathy. May she rest in peace.

Yours etc,

Margaret Tallon,

St Paul’s Special School RDA Group

(See 23 for a tribute to Mary Davison)