Animal rescue charity pays tribute after passing of 'shining light'

Galway SPCA paid an emotional tribute this week to an Athlone woman who was one of its “most dedicated volunteers of many years”.

Marlene Wogan, Ardbrae Park, Baylough, Athlone, passed away on January 31 peacefully in the tender care of South Westmeath Hospice.

Members of Galway SPCA, along with some pets in their care, formed a guard of honour outside Ss Peter and Paul's Church on Monday afternoon for her Funeral Mass as her remains were brought from the church for burial in Kiltoom Cemetery.

The late Marlene Wogan, formerly of Beaupark, Navan, was predeceased by her mother Veronica and father Joe. She is sadly missed by her partner Paddy, sister Emer, brother Derek, the Daly, Duffy and Mangan nephews, nieces and extended family, neighbours, friends and members of the Galway Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

In an online tribute, Galway SPCA described Marlene as “a true rescuer who arrived every week to our kennels with the brightest smile, a heart bursting with love, a kindness and empathy that outdid us all and a need deep inside her to help fix those dogs that others had broken.

“She loved every dog within our sanctuary as though it was her own because in her mind, they were.

It described her as a lady who wasn't afraid to speak out or stand up for those without a voice.

“Marlene was all the above and more but most of all she was part of our rescue family, our sister, our shining light and our best friend.

“We are today truly devastated to have lost someone who meant so much to not just us but to many more in the world of rescue and every single person who had the privilege to meet Marlene on her travels,” Galway SPCA said, before offering condolences to Marlene's family and friends.