Tributes have been paid to a founding staff member at Derry’s Millennium Forum following news of her death over the weekend.
Anne Craig, who passed away on Saturday, has been remembered for her passion for the arts and for inspiring the younger generations coming through the theatre.
Ms Craig was the first Education Officer at the theatre, which opened its doors in 2001.
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A spokesperson for the theatre said that they had lost a “dear friend”.
“She was passionate about the arts and theatre and worked tirelessly to ensure our theatre was accessible to all by spearheading (what is, now) our award-winning Access Programme,” they said.
“She was also a mentor and inspiration to the many young people who came for work experience or took part in the many educational projects that she successfully created.
“But above all else, Anne was a kind, caring, funny, helpful colleague to us all and, for us (especially our Marketing Department in which she was based for many years), she was a true friend and trusted confidante.
“She inspired us to be the best in everything that we do and we will forever be grateful to her for this.”
They added that she would never be forgotten and that her “beautiful smile will forever live in our hearts as we mourn her passing”.
“Everyone at the Forum sends all our love and prayers to Jim, Johnny, Marianne, Jeananne and to all Anne’s family and friends. May she rest in peace,” they said.
Bunscoil Cholmcille & Naíscoil Dhoire said that it was with “great sadness” that they learned of Ms Craig’s passing.
“Anne Craig had been the longest serving member on our Board of Governors for many many years,” they said.
“She was a passionate supporter of Bunscoil Cholmcille and Naíscoil Dhoire as an Irish Medium Catholic school and a loyal supporter of Irish Medium generally.
“In her quiet, dignified and determined manner, it was her ambition, to remain on the governors until she could see an improvement in the physical conditions and in the educational facilities for our whole school community.
“Sadly, this wasn’t to be, but her gentle and kind ways will always remain in our hearts and in our thoughts as the school continues to improve and thrive.
“Ar dheis Dé go bhfuil a hanam dílis. Inár gcuimhní, inár gcroíthe, i gcónaí a Anne.”
A funeral notice said that she was the “beloved wife of Jim, loving mother of Johnny, Marianne, Jeananne and the late baby Jamie, mother-in-law of Rory and Will, much loved grandmother of Maisie, Daíthí, Rose, Johnny and the late baby James and dear sister of Mary, Johnny and Joe”.
A Requiem Mass for Ms Craig will be held in St Eugene’s Cathedral at 10am on Tuesday, with internment at the City Cemetery to follow.
