There has been widespread sadness expressed throughout the district following the death of Mrs. Rosario Breen (neé Rafferty).

Rosario who was born on October 13, 1949 in Tirconaill Street, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, was the second of five children born to Mickey and Mary Rafferty. Her siblings are Jimmy, Agnes, and Margaret, and her late brother Michael.

After passing her Leaving Cert, Rosario moved to Dublin to work as a civil servant for the Department of Labour on Gardiner Street.

Concurrently she studied for and received her degree in Piano Forte from the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Rosario loved her time in Dublin with her very dear friends Noeleen Rogan and Dolores O’Donoghue and it was here where her love of Irish Rugby was born. She made every effort to attend each international game at Lansdowne Road.

In 1972, Rosario met her husband Marius in The Astoria, Bundoran. They were married in Ballyshannon in 1973. This year they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

In the mid-1980s when her time as a stay-at-home mum was done, she started working in St. Fanchea’s as an assistant cook. She forged many friendships during this time.

In addition to this, as a member of the Royal Academy of Music she began teaching piano (up to Grade 8) in the afternoons at home.

In 1989, Rosario started working in Bowlervision, which became the Enniskillen Omniplex in 2000. Here she worked as the assistant manager until her retirement in 2016.

In her retirement years she enjoyed volunteering at the St. Vincent DePaul charity shop, with Joe Maguire and other volunteers. She also began spending time with a very much-loved friend and former neighbour Barry who became like a fourth child to Rosario.

This led to Rosario getting involved in Brightstarz, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Not to be forgotten were the many years she spent as Musical Director in the Lakeland Players, where she made her acting debut.

Rosario’s love for family was indeed great. She was a devoted wife to Marius, a loving mother not only to Aaron, Colin and Claire, but their spouses Edel, Amanda and Tom.

She was an adoring granny to her seven grandchildren Kelly, Lauren, Leah, Sara, Ashling, Emma and James.

Rosario, while small in stature was a force of nature, with a heart that was giving and a spirit that was unwavering.

She always put the needs of others before her own. She had an uncanny ability to comfort, console and empathise with others, making everyone feel seen, heard and loved. Her compassion and kindness knew no bounds, and her impact on the lives of those she touched will be everlasting.

For those that knew Rosario, the world is a sadder place without her in it, but she touched the hearts of everyone she knew. and left them with memories they will cherish and laugh about forever.

Her wish that her ashes be scattered at the Assaroe Falls in Ballyshannon will be fulfilled. Rosario is going home.