George Preston Funeral Director

26/01/2026

Acknowledgement notice from the family of the late Bert McIlroy.

The family of the late Bert McIlroy - Alison, Robert, Christopher, would like to sincerely thank all those who attended the wake and funeral of our much-loved father, and everyone who sent messages of sympathy and condolence cards during this very difficult time.

We wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to the doctors and staff of Craigavon Hospital for the kindness, care, support, and compassion shown to our father and to our family.

We also extend our sincere thanks to all who kindly made donations in lieu of flowers, which were gratefully received in support of Newry Hospice.

Our thanks also go to Rev. Scott McDonald for delivering such a wonderful and meaningful church service, which reflected our father’s life with great warmth and dignity.

Finally, we would like to thank Gavin of George Preston Funeral Directors for his guidance, professionalism, and unwavering support throughout, and for the beautiful floral arrangements.

Your kindness, support, and compassion have brought us great comfort and will always be remembered.

19/01/2026

12/01/2026

We regret to inform you of the death of Ian Halliday.

Halliday (Newry) 11th January 2026, Ernest Ian aged 77 years, peacefully at Cairnhill Care Home Newry and formerly of Glanree House Newry. Dearly beloved son of the late Ernest and Annabella (Anna) Halliday.

Funeral Service on Wednesday 14th January 2026, in Sandys Street Presbyterian Church Newry at 12 noon; followed by burial in the Presbyterian Cemetery, Armagh Road, Newry.

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

Ian will be lovingly remembered by his cousins and many friends.

Ps 23 “The Lord is my Shepherd”.

09/01/2026

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT NOTICE from the family of the late Norma Cunningham (Hamiltonsbawn).

The Family of the late Norma Cunningham wish to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to all those who sympathised with and supported us during our recent bereavement.

Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone who attended the wake and funeral, called at our home, sent sympathy cards and made donations in lieu of flowers, to Macmillan Cancer Support.

We would especially like to thank Rev Norman Smyth for his visitations and prayerful support and conducting the funeral service.

A special thanks to the Paramedics and Emergency Department at Craigavon Area Hospital for the professional and compassionate way they carried out their duties.

We also like to thank the Ladies of 1st Markethill Presbyterian Church for supplying the tea after the funeral service, and the Browne family for all their help with teas etc at the house and wake.

To George Preston Funeral Directors and especially Gavin and Declan for the efficient and dignified manner in which they carried out the funeral services and for providing the beautiful family floral tribute.

We trust this will be accepted by all as a sincere and thankful response to all the kindness shown to us in our very sad loss.

05/01/2026

Those wishing to view the Requiem Mass Service for the late Gavin Corkey R.I.P. on Tuesday 6th January 2026 in St Mary's Church Newry, may do so for free via the attached church link: https://churchmedia.tv/stmarysnewry

05/01/2026

We regret to inform you of the death of Gertrude Black.

BLACK (Bessbrook) 5th January 2026, peacefully at Bannview House Care Home Banbridge Gertrude, late of College Square East, Bessbrook. Dearly beloved daughter of the late John and Martha, loving sister of the late Samuel, Tom, Ida (Kennedy), Sybil (Davies) and John; a treasured aunt, great aunt, great-great aunt and great-great-great aunt.

Family and Friends welcome at George Preston’s Funeral Home Bessbrook on Tuesday between 4pm and 7pm. Funeral Service on Wednesday 7th January 2026 in Bessbrook Presbyterian Church at 12 noon, followed by committal in the adjoining burial ground.

Family flowers only please, donations in lieu if desired payable to Evora Hospice Care Newry and forwarded to George Preston Funeral Directors 1 Main Street Bessbrook BT35 7DJ.

Gertrude will be lovingly remembered by her entire family circle, neighbours and friends.

Ps 23 “The Lord is My Shepherd”.

04/01/2026

We regret to inform you of the death of Gavin Corkey R.I.P.

CORKEY (Newry) 3rd January 2026 peacefully at home Gavin, dearly beloved husband of Michele, loving brother of Barry, dearest brother-in-law of Barbara, Sharon and Gerald (Devine) and Ian (Finnegan) and a loving uncle of Ronan, Niamh, Emma, Olivia, Stephen, Michael and Rachel. Much loved son of the late Robin and Anna R.I.P. and dear son-in-law of Doreen Finnegan. Sacred Heart of Jesus have Mercy on his soul.

Gavin’s remains are reposing at his late home 218 Armagh Road Newry BT35 6NW on Sunday from 4pm to 9pm and Monday from 1pm to 9pm. Requiem Mass will be celebrated in St Mary’s Church, Chapel Street, Newry on Tuesday 6th January 2026 at 11am; burial afterwards in Monkshill Cemetery Newry. House private on the morning of the funeral.

Donations in lieu of flowers if desired payable to Evora Hospice Care Newry and forwarded to George Preston Funeral Directors, 1 Main Street Bessbrook BT35 7DJ.

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

May He rest in Peace.

03/01/2026

MONTH'S MIND NOTICE for the late Bill Donnelly R.I.P.

Month's Mind Mass for the late Bill Donnelly will be celebrated in The Sacred Heart Church Killowen, on Wednesday 7th January 2026 at 7pm.

30/12/2025

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT NOTICE from the family of the late Agnes Wylie (nee Porter) (Bangor).

Richard and Alison, son and daughter of the late Agnes Wylie, would like to express their heartfelt thanks and deepest gratitude to the entire family circle, friends, neighbours and wider community who sympathised with them in their recent sad bereavement of their mother.

A special thank you to the Rev Peter Lyle for conducting such a beautiful service and tribute.

We are deeply appreciative of the care our mother received during her time at the Ulster Hospital.

We would also like to express our thanks to everyone who so kindly donated money to the N.I. Chest Heart and Stroke in lieu of flowers.

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

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