Joan Harte was a pillar of the Legion of Mary in Co Tyrone, a woman of unshakeable faith who devoted herself to sharing that faith with others.
Born in 1950 in Eskra, one of 12 siblings, her parents John and Meta McGirr were hard-working, faith-filled Catholics who imparted a great love of the Church to their children.
Joan would grow up to be an extraordinary woman.
A pupil at Loreto Grammar in Omagh, she trained as a primary school teacher in Liverpool and London and began her working life in Chapel Road Boys’ School in Derry’s Waterside in 1971.
In 1978 she married Brendan Harte, brother of GAA player and later manager Mickey, and they settled in Omagh.
The same year, she transferred to teach at St Patrick’s PS, Eskra, where, in time, she was appointed headmistress.
Joan was a gentle and joyful teacher and a kind and highly organised school leader. She carried these responsibilities dutifully for 39 years in the classroom, 20 of them as teaching principal (1990-2010).
She is also remembered for work on the hugely successful Developing Early Listening and Talking Abilities (Delta) programme, and was a member of the Board of Governors at St Joseph’s Grammar School in Donaghmore and St Mary’s University College, Belfast.
Spare time was at a premium, and this busy mother and teacher devoted lots of it to the Legion of Mary.
Joan joined the Legion in 1986 and gave 36 years’ service, interrupted only by maternity leave.
She and her husband were dedicated officers in the two Drumragh praesidia. They promoted the Legion at great length and set up several branches, re-establishing Eskra in 2017 and Newtownstewart in 2018.
No-one knows the mammoth effort and the myriad sacrifices on the part of this devout couple to build up the Legion of Mary in the Dioceses of Derry, Clogher and Armagh.
They also undertook the PPC programme (Peregrinatio Pro Christo) across the water during three summers to spread the faith in English parishes.
In December 2022, realising that her health was waning, Joan wrote her final Legion meeting minutes.
Her many educational and ecclesial duties notwithstanding, she was unfailing in her principal vocation, as wife and mother, and dedicated herself to her seven grandchildren who were completely devoted to her.
She leaves behind her beloved husband and three children, Emma, Grace and Peter, captain of the Tyrone senior football team.
Members of the Errigal Ciaran and Tyrone teams and pupils from local schools formed a guard of honour at her funeral at St Patrick’s Church, Eskra, and in a tribute, Tyrone GAA said she was a “constant presence within the life of Gaelic Tyrone”.
“Always, smiling, always gentle, she was simply a delight for us all.”
At the age of 73, Joan died peacefully at home on the morning of Sunday June 23. For everyone who knew her, she was a treasure. With her gracious personality, she reminded us of Our Lady.
She has left us the most beautiful memories and we will miss her for the rest of our days. May the Lord reward her good, kind and gentle soul with abundance. And may she rest in peace.