George Preston Funeral Director

01/04/2026

27/03/2026

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT NOTICE from the family of the the late David Brown.

We, the sons and daughters of the late David Brown (Bessbrook) wish to express our sincere and heartfelt thanks to all those who offered sympathy and support during our recent sad bereavement.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who sent sympathy cards and messages of condolence, who commented on social media, and to those who called at the wake, attended the funeral, or helped in any way. Your kindness, generosity and prayers have been a source of great comfort and strength at this difficult time.

A special word of thanks to Rev. Keith McIntyre for conducting the Service of Thanksgiving and for his pastoral care and ministry to dad throughout his illness and to Mrs. Karen Kennedy for providing the music at the funeral service.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Ellen McKernan and the staff of Bessbrook Surgery who cared for dad and all of the various health care professionals, especially Ann’s Home Care and Extra Care, who attended dad at his home during his illness. Also to the staff on Floor 5 North at Daisy Hill Hospital and to the staff of Iveagh House, Banbridge for their care and compassion shown to dad and to us during his last weeks and days.

Thanks are also extended to Bessbrook Butcher’s and Deli, Katie O’s (Hilltown) and Sweet Bites (Rathfriland) for the food provisions provided at the wake and funeral tea.

Finally, thanks are also extended to George Preston Funeral Directors, especially Gavin and Declan, for the kind, caring and professional manner in which they carried out the funeral arrangements and to all those who donated in lieu of flowers for Bessbrook Presbyterian Church.

As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as a token of our sincere appreciation.

The Brown Family.

26/03/2026

Those wishing to view the Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Derek Hanna, may do so for free, via the below church link:https://www.youtube.com/

25/03/2026

We regret to inform you of the death of Derek Hanna.

Hanna (Newry) 25th March 2026 Derek peacefully at Evora Hospice, late of Chestnut Grove Newry. Dearly beloved husband of Anna, loving father of Lisa, Paul and Jacqueline, dear father-in-law of Richard and Karen. Treasured Grandpa of Isla and Conor; Sophia, Olivia and Amy. Dear brother of Samuel, Wesley and Sandra and a loving brother-in-law and uncle.

House private please.

Family and Friends welcome at George Preston’s Funeral Home Bessbrook, on Thursday between 6pm and 8pm.

Funeral Service in Sandys Street Presbyterian Church Newry on Friday 27th March 2026 at 12 noon, followed by burial in the Presbyterian Cemetery, Armagh Road, Newry.

Family flowers only please, donations in lieu if desired, payable to Evora Hospice Care Newry and forwarded to George Preston Funeral Directors, 1 Main Street Bessbrook BT35 7DJ or via this link created by the family: https://derek-hanna.muchloved.com

Ps 23 "The Lord is my Shepherd ".

23/03/2026

We regret to inform you of the death of Helen Clarke.

CLARKE (nee Ferris) (Banbridge) 22nd March 2026 Helen Isobel, peacefully at Iveagh House Nursing Home surrounded by her loving family; late of Ashgrove Avenue, Banbridge. Dearly beloved wife of the late David, much loved mum of Kenneth (late Mel), Elaine, Colin (Gwenn) and Gary (Jane). Cherished Grandmother of Gemma, Scott, Mark, Neil, Ciara, Lee, Max, Abbie and Lucy. Great Grandmother of Lexi, Elsie, Oliver, Hailey, Gabriel, Poppy, Thiago, Paulo, Isla and Shea. Dear sister of Amanda and the late Bill, Jim, Samuel, Charles and a dearly loved aunt.

At Helen’s own request, the house will be strictly private please.

Everyone welcome on Wednesday 25th March 2026 at 12 noon, for a graveside service at the Presbyterian Cemetery, Armagh Road, Newry.

Family flowers only please, donations in lieu if desired payable to Cancer Research and forwarded to George Preston Funeral Directors, 1 Main Street, Bessbrook BT35 7DJ.

Lovingly remembered by the entire family circle.

Ps23 “The Lord is My Shepherd”.

22/03/2026

We regret to inform you of the death of Glenna Taylor.

TAYLOR (nee Cowan) (Newry) 21st March 2026 peacefully at Rathfriland Manor Nursing Home surrounded by her loving family. Glenna, late of Shandon Park Newry. Devoted wife of the late Winston, much loved mum of Tanya (George), Lorraine (Lawrence) and Nigel (John). Cherished grandmother of Christopher, Gregory, Naomi and Jonathan; great grandmother of Alexander and Brandon. Dear sister of Hazel, Ernie and the late Edna, David, William and Margaret; loving sister-in-law and a much loved aunt.

Family and friends welcome at her son Nigel’s home 5 Ballyvally Heights, Banbridge BT32 4AG, on Sunday and Monday from 2pm to 8pm.

Funeral Service on Tuesday 24th March 2026 in St Patrick’s Parish Newry at 10.30am, followed by burial in the adjoining Churchyard.

Family flowers only please, donations in lieu if desired, payable to Alzheimer’s Society and forwarded to George Preston Funeral Directors 1 Main Street Bessbrook BT35 7DJ or via this link set up by the family https://glennataylor.muchloved.com/

Lovingly remembered and sadly missed by all the family circle

19/03/2026

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT NOTICE from the family of the late Maureen Kernaghan.

The family of the late Maureen Kernaghan (Bessbrook) wish to express their heartfelt thanks to the entire family circle, friends, neighbours and wider community who sympathised with them in their recent sad bereavement.

To all who attended the funeral, called at the Funeral Home, send cards or messages of sympathy, telephoned or helped in anyway, a big thank you to each and every one of you, your kindness and thoughtfulness were greatly appreciated.

A special thank you to Rev Alan Synnott and Rev Brian Colvin for their pastoral care and for the lovely funeral service and tributes.

Thank you to the organist Trevor Kinnin for the music at the service and for kindly recording the service and to David Wallace, gravedigger.

Thanks also to Simply Good Catering for the refreshments which were served in the Church Hall.

To the Doctors, Nurses and all the Medical staff of Bessbrook Surgery, past and present, we are deeply appreciative of the excellent care she received over the years.

We would also like to express our thanks to everyone who so kindly donated to Evora Hospice Care, Newry in memory of Maureen.

Finally, our sincere thanks to George Preston Funeral Directors, especially Gavin for his compassion and guidance, carrying out the arrangements in a dignified and professional manner and providing the beautiful family floral tribute.

Trusting this acknowledgement will be accepted as a token of our sincere gratitude to everyone.

10/03/2026

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT NOTICE from the family of the late Bill Donnelly (Killowen).

The family of the late Bill Donnelly wish to express their heartfelt thanks to all family, friends, and neighbours who sympathised with them in their recent sad bereavement.

To everyone who attended the funeral, both inside and outside the church, called to the home, sent cards or messages of sympathy, or supported the family in any way, your kindness and thoughtfulness were greatly appreciated. A special word of thanks to those who placed flowers on Bill’s grave, which meant so much to the family.

Our sincere gratitude to Father Des Mooney, who knew Bill personally and shared so many kind and comforting words about him during the service. His care and support were a great comfort to the family, and we are especially grateful for the months mind that was dedicated to Bill, making it a truly memorable occasion in his honour.

The family would also like to thank everyone who kindly donated in Bill’s memory. A total of £3,122.50 was raised for N.I. Chest, Heart & Stroke, and the family are deeply grateful for the generosity shown.

Thanks are also extended to CLYC for providing refreshments after the service.

Finally, our sincere thanks to George Preston Funeral Directors, especially Gavin and Declan, for carrying out the funeral arrangements in such a dignified and professional manner.

06/03/2026

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT NOTICE from the family of the late Gertrude Black (Bessbrook).

The family of the late Gertrude Black, College Square Bessbrook, would like to express their sincere thanks to everyone who offered sympathy and support to them in their recent bereavement. Gertrude was a much loved aunt, great aunt, great great aunt and great great great aunt who played an important role in so many lives. She was dearly loved and is missed by everyone.

Sincere thanks to all extended family members, friends and neighbours who called at the wake or attended the funeral service. All sympathy cards, letters, telephone calls, text messages and social media comments were greatly appreciated. The family is also very thankful for the donations in lieu of flowers to Evora Hospice Care, Newry.

A special thanks is due to Dr Ellen McKernan and the entire medical team, past and present, in Bessbrook Surgery for the utmost care and respect shown to Gertrude over many years. Thanks is also expressed to the many Health Care professionals who cared for Gertrude during her long life and the staff and residents of both Bannview House Nursing Home and Seapatrick Nursing Home Banbridge for all their care and attention during her final illness.

The family would like to express particular thanks to Rev. Keith McIntyre and Rev. Stephen Kennedy for conducting the Service of Thanksgiving and for the pastoral care and ministry to Gertrude over many years. The family is also grateful to Mr. Stephen Furphy for providing the music at the funeral service and to ‘Simply Good Catering’ for the refreshments which were prepared and served to all those who attended the funeral.

Finally, the family is indebted to the staff of George Preston Funeral Directors for their advice and compassion at such a difficult time. The funeral arrangements were arranged in the most dignified and professional manner.

Trusting this will be accepted as an acknowledgement of our sincere thanks.

03/03/2026

If planning ahead for your own funeral wishes or that of a relative, is something you are considering....our plans are all bespoke to individual requests.

For a confidential, no obligation chat to discuss your needs, please ring 028 30265108 to make an appointment or email gavin@georgeprestonfunerals.co.uk

We are Appointed Representatives for Ecclesiastical Planning Services Funeral Plans. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

01/03/2026

Those wishing to view the Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of Noreen Wallace, may do so for free via the attached Church link.
https://www.youtube.com/live/h_c-mbvvpxE?si=1RpjTfw9yl-3Elrd