Tribute to ‘dedicated’ woman who died after brain disease diagnosis

“The 24-hour support offered gave us comfort and dignity at the hardest time of our lives”

The family of a much-loved Co Armagh woman are coming together to honour her legacy after her death almost two years ago.

Sheila McArdle, from Camlough, was diagnosed with progressive brain disease in 2023. She spent her final months at home surrounded by her family with the support of the dedicated team at Evora Hospice. Sheila passed away peacefully in October of that year.

Her family are now encouraging people across the Armagh, Down, and Tyrone areas to take part in this year’s Midnight Memory Walk in aid of Evora Hospice. Supported by McKeevers Chemists, the Midnight Memory Walk, now in its 17^th year, takes place on Saturday September 27, from 11pm.

It offers a unique chance for families, friends, and neighbours to come together to honour and remember loved ones in a meaningful way.

Sheila, the tenth of eleven children, was full of fun, adventure, and had a deep love of the outdoors. A dedicated teacher and former principal of St Joseph’s Primary School in Bessbrook, she and her husband, Henry, who married in 1975, raised their family of five children on the Camlough mountainside where Sheila cherished her summers tending to her garden and walking the waterfront at Clogherhead Beach.

Reflecting on their journey, Sheila’s family said: “Evora was there for all of us, not just for mum. The 24-hour support offered gave us comfort and dignity at the hardest time of our lives. They supported us all through our journey with grief through their bereavement support services; they looked after our own wellbeing with reflexology sessions; and dad took part in the bereavement counselling group, helping him navigate grief and loss. He even found lasting friendship.

“Taking part in fundraising is our way of giving back to the hospice that has given so much to our family.”

Setting off from St Colman’s College, Newry, the 6km Midnight Memory Walk has become a cherished tradition for families and friends of Evora Hospice. On the night, walkers will be welcomed with moving music from the Choir Studio and treated to refreshments kindly provided by Courtneys.

Each participant will receive a personalised memory bib to wear in tribute to someone special, and will also have the opportunity to leave a message on the memory wall, a touching centrepiece of the evening.

In 2025, Evora Hospice must raise £4 million to continue its specialist palliative and end of life care services for those living in the counties of Armagh, Down and Tyrone. Funds raised through the Midnight Memory Walk will directly support patients and families across the community, ensuring that local people, just like Sheila and her family, continue to receive vital care when they need it most.

Registration for the event is now open. For more information, visit www.evorahospice.org or call (028) 3026 7711.

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