George Preston Funeral Director

17/12/2025

Those wishing to make a donation to NI Chest Heart & Stroke in memory of the late Bill Donnelly, can do so via the below link set up by the family.

Dedicated to the memory of Bill Donnelly

16/12/2025

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT NOTICE from the family of the late Norah Smyth.

The Family of the late Norah Smyth would like to express their heartfelt thanks and deepest gratitude to the friends, neighbours and wider community who sympathised with them in their recent sad bereavement. To all those who attended the funeral, called at the wake, brought and prepared refreshments, sent cards, telephoned or helped in any way, we say a big thank you to each and every one of you.

A very special thank you to the Rev. Keith McIntyre for conducting such a beautiful Memorial Service and tribute to our mother. We would also like to thank the organist Olive Brown for playing at the service, as well as Jim Neagle and David and Fiona Smyth for recording the service. Thanks also to William and Sharon from Simply Good Catering for the lovely tea served in the Church Hall afterwards.

We are deeply appreciative of the care our mother received in Carlingford Lodge Care Home in the time she was there. The staff were both professional and very caring and kind to us as a family. During this time our mother also received an enormous amount of support from her cousins Martha Moody, May Morrow and Eric Little, and from friends Hazel Cunningham, Andrea and Michael McCaul and especially Julie Elliott-Cartmill. We are extremely grateful for all their assistance.

Finally our sincere thanks to George Preston Funeral Directors for their thoughtfulness and professionalism, and especially Gavin, Declan and Adam who ensured all the arrangements were carried out with both dignity and respect.

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

Edward and Kathryn

15/12/2025

UPDATED FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS - for the late Bill Donnelly have now been updated in the main notice below.

15/12/2025

We regret to inform you of the death of Bill Donnelly (Killowen).

DONNELLY (Killowen, Rostrevor) 14th December 2025, suddenly at his home 13 Killowen Road Rostrevor, Bill R.I.P. dearly beloved partner of Jenny, much loved father of Hannah, Joshua and Aaron, loving brother of Nicky and Paul, dearest son of the late John and Alice R.I.P., loving son-in-law of Carole and the late Dennis Preston; dear brother-in-law, uncle, cousin and friend.

House strictly private please.

Requiem Mass to celebrate Bill’s life, will take place in The Sacred Heart Church Killowen on Thursday 18th December 2025 at 11am, followed by burial in Kilbroney Cemetery Rostrevor.

Family flowers only please, donations in lieu if desired payable to NI Chest Heart & Stroke and forwarded to George Preston Funeral Directors 1 Main Street, Bessbrook BT35 7DJ or via attached link https://billdonnelly.muchloved.com

Bill will be lovingly remembered by his entire family circle and many friends.

May he Rest in Peace.

13/12/2025

09/12/2025

ACKNOWLEDGE NOTICE from the family of the late Kenny Cowan.

The family of the Late Kenny Cowan would like to express their heartfelt thanks and deepest gratitude to the relatives, friends, neighbours, work colleagues and wider community who sympathised and supported them in their recent sad bereavement.

To everyone who attended the funeral, called to the house, brought food, sent cards, flowers, telephoned or helped in the smallest way we say a huge Thank You to each and every one of you.

We would also like to say a massive thank you to everyone who so kindly donated money in lieu of flowers, we are extremely humbled by the love shown for Kenny and cannot express our thanks enough for the large amount of money raised and donated to Leukaemia & Lymphoma NI.

To the Doctors and nursing staff of Daisy Hill Hospital, Craigavon Area Hospital and Belfast City Hospital we thank you from the bottom of our hearts and are so grateful for all the wonderful love, respect and care shown to Kenny throughout his short illness.

Finally, our special thanks to George Preston Funeral Directors for their unwavering support, guidance and counsel throughout. The professionalism and dignity shown will forever be remembered by us all.

05/12/2025

We regret to inform you of the death of June Lundy.

LUNDY (Glenanne) Evelyn June, called home 4th December 2025 peacefully at Craigavon Hospital, late of 34 Mossfield Estate Glenanne. Much loved mother of Soraya, dear mother-in-law of George and beloved Nannie to Faye and Alex.

Family and Friends welcome at her late home on Saturday between 12 noon and 9pm.

Funeral Service on Sunday 7th December 2025, in Kingmills Presbyterian Church at 2pm, followed by a family committal at Tyrone’s Ditches Presbyterian Burial Ground.

Donations in memory of June, for NI Chest, Heart & Stroke and Kingmills Presbyterian Church, cheques payable and forwarded to George Preston Funeral Directors, 1 Main Street, Bessbrook BT35 7DJ.

Lovingly remembered by her daughter, son-in-law, grandchildren and entire family circle.

"The Day Thou Gavest Lord Has Ended".

05/12/2025

The wake and funeral arrangements for the late Norma Cunningham have been updated on the below notice.

04/12/2025

We regret to inform you of the death of Norma Cunningham.

CUNNINGHAM (nee McMurray) (Hamiltonsbawn) 4th December 2025 at hospital, Norma late of 1 Cedar Hill, Hamiltonsbawn. Dearly beloved wife of Keith and loving mother of Simon. Dearest sister of Emily, Isobel and David, loving sister-in-law and aunt.

House strictly private please.

Family and Friends welcome at George Preston’s Funeral Home, Bessbrook on Sunday 7th December 2025 between 5pm and 7pm.

Funeral Service on Monday 8th December 2025 in 1st Markethill Presbyterian Church (Upper Meeting House) at 12 noon, followed by burial in the adjoining burial ground.

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

Norma will be lovingly remembered by her entire family circle.

04/12/2025

Reminder alert! >>> Bessbrook village Christmas 2025 lights switch tomorrow (Thursday) at 6pm by santa. Entertainment, carol singers, facepainting etc starting at 5pm. Wrap up warm, come along and enjoy the festive cheer!

02/12/2025

We regret to inform you of the death of Agnes Wylie (Bangor).

WYLIE (nee Porter) (Bangor) 2nd December 2025, Agnes, peacefully at the Ulster Hospital surrounded by her loving family. Dearly beloved wife of the late John, much loved and devoted mother of Alison and Richard, dearest mother-in-law of James and Eilish. Loving grandmother of Lee and Sara, Mathew and Fran, Grace and Andrew and great-grandmother of Jack. Loving sister of George and the late David, Samuel, Sophia, Marjorie and Benny and a dear sister-in-law.

A Service of Thanksgiving for Agnes' life, will take place on Friday 5th December 2025 at 11.30am in George Preston's Funeral Home, Bessbrook; followed by burial in the Presbyterian Cemetery, Armagh Road, Newry. Strictly family only please.

Family flowers only please, donations in lieu if desired, payable to NI Chest, Heart and Stroke and forwarded to George Preston Funeral Directors 1 Main Street Bessbrook, Newry BT35 7DJ.

Lovingly remembered by all of her family circle.