A Co Armagh GAA club have paid tributes to “a kind, considerate and truly devoted club officer” following her sad and untimely passing this week.
Jacqueline Rafferty gave over 40 incredible years of voluntary service to Lissummon and only last November was inducted into their Hall of Fame as part of the club’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
The club described her as “a sincere friend, a helpful neighbour, a generous lady, a charity fundraiser, and a Lissummon GAA legend” who will be “greatly missed by everyone across our entire community and beyond”.
The club wrote: “It’s not so long ago that she was rightly awarded the club’s most prestigious Hall of Fame award at our 50th anniversary gala ball last November for her selfless devotion and generosity to the club over the last 4 decades. An award she was both honoured and overjoyed to receive.
“Working tirelessly behind the scenes at many events and fundraising activities she simply never said no. From Jigs and Reels in 2010 and 2012 to Strictly Come Dancing in 2016 she was there fronting the organising committees.
“She was also heavily involved with our many 50th anniversary celebration events last year with her knowledge, expertise and accounting experience helping to keep the books balanced.
“Up until very recently Jacqueline also continued to help manage the club’s weekly Lotto results and keeping the sales ticking over.
“As a community and individuals we all have our beautiful memories to savour and share of this inspirational and wonderful lady in the days ahead. We will join together and be there for Jacqueline’s family to support them and each another as we all come to terms with this sorrowing news.
“The committee and members of Lissummon GFC offer our deepest and sincere condolences to Denis, Claudine and the entire family circle and close friends at this extremely difficult time.”
Others described her as “a fabulous girl with a heart of gold”.
Another wrote: “A wonderful woman to have on your team and a terrible loss to the entire Lissummon community and beyond.”
Run for Raff, which was set up in memory of her brother Adrian, who died from Leukaemia in 2014, commented: “We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to her partner Denis and Sister in law Claudine, family circle and friends. A great member of the Run for Raff team since we started after the her brother Adrian ( RIP ) died in 2014.”
Further details have not been released yet.
