Brenda Kathleen McGagh

On Saturday, July 16, 2022, Brenda Kathleen McGagh (nee McGarritty) age 86 and loving mother of 5 children & 12 grandchildren, passed away peacefully at Barnabus Medical Center in Livingston, NJ. Formerly of Cresskill, NJ, Brenda was born on June 2, 1936 in Rostrevor, Northern Ireland to Terence and Cassie (Catherine nee O’connor) McGarritty. One of six children, Brenda received her nursing degree from Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital in 1958 and worked in the healthcare field throughout her life. She left Ireland for New York City in 1960, and practiced nursing at St. Vincent’s Hospital. Shortly after arriving in NYC, she met the love of her life, Patrick Joseph McGagh, and they were married on October 27, 1962 at the Church of St. Elizabeth. Brenda & Paddy started their family in Jersey City, eventually settling and raising their children in Cresskill, as dedicated parishioners of St. Therese of Lisieux Church. Brenda’s passions were healthcare, the Church, community service, and most importantly, her family and friends. She pursued multiple charitable endeavors throughout her town and the Church, and was always ready to offer a helping hand to anyone who needed it. A primary element of Brenda’s life was the personal connection she had with each of her grandchildren, which was deep and will be everlasting. Brenda was an avid baker and seamstress, and loved teaching & sharing these talents with her children, and especially her grandchildren. There was nothing more delicious than one of Brenda’s apple tarts. Brenda was also a most devoted friend and was always at the ready to put on a kettle of tea, or pour a whiskey sour, and just sit and talk for hours. She treasured the simple moments, just as her loved ones treasured her. She will be dearly missed, and fondly remembered always. Brenda stressed “Togetherness” for her family and her various communities. Yeats was a favorite poet, and we’ll remember her by the related oft repeated lines of “Lake Isle of Innisfree” , “And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow, Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings; There midnight’s all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow, And evening full of the linnet’s wings.” Brenda was preceded in death by parents Terry and Catherine, her husband Patrick, and her sisters Bronough and Molly. She is survived by her children Deirdre, Mary, Kevin, Patrick and William; her siblings Paula, Hilary and Ian; her grandchildren Gavin, Shaye, Patrick, Evan, Jack, Julia, Declan, Brendan, Isabella, John, Claire and Gino; many cousins, nieces and nephews; and her children in law Jennifer, Doreen, Susan, Andy and Steve. A viewing will be held Tuesday, July 19, 2022 from 4-8 PM at Barrett funeral home in Tenafly, and services will be at St. Therese of Lisieux Church in Cresskill on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Brenda’s honor at the Office of Concern Food Pantry at St Cecilia Church, 55 West Demarest Avenue, Englewood, NJ 07631.