Sadness at news of Dr Kate McGarry's death

Gavan Becton

Published: Sun 7 Jan 2018, 1:57 PM

Last updated: Sun 7 Jan 2018, 2:04 PM

Recently retired Consultant Physician to Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan, Dr Kate McGarry has died.

Dr McGarry became President of the Irish Heart Foundation in September, 2015, having initially joined the Board of Directors in 2009. As well as fulfilling her Presidential duties – including the 50th anniversary celebrations last year – she led the fight against heart disease and stroke through her active clinical practice in the Mater Private Cardiology Clinic in Navan.

Dr Kate McGarry’s career proved her incredible dedication to cardiology and treatment of heart patients including:

· Active clinical practice in the Mater Private Cardiology Clinic in Navan

· Cardiology training undertaken in the Hammersmith and Great Ormond Street hospitals in London

· Cardiology Fellow in Edmonton University Hospital in Canada before returning to Ireland in 1983.

· Responsible for developing Cardiology services in Navan.

· Over 30 peer-reviewed publications related to cardiovascular disease including a major collaborative study which identified a unique gene in a large Irish family with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

· Chairperson on the Irish Heart Foundation's (IHF) Council on Women's heart disease for a number of years

· Served on the Board of the IHF from 2009 until 2014.

· Elected member of the Council of the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland(RCPI) for 25 years and has served a term as Vice President and Censor of the College.

· Appointed to a senior role as the Associate Director of Hospital Site Accreditation in the RCPI.

· Served on a number of national committees and Boards including the National Drugs Advisory Board and the Irish Medicine Board.

Expressing his sadness over the death of Dr McGarry, Navan Cllr Wayne Forde said "I knew Dr McGarry for years and she was in my opinion the top medical consultant in Navan and probably the best in Ireland. Kate McGarry saved thousands of lives in Navan over her long career and there are a lot of people in Meath alive today thanks to the expertise and brilliance of Dr McGarry."

Deputy Peadar Toibin of the Save Navan Hospital Campaign said Dr Kate McGarry "was a great doctor and a good friend to the Save Navan Hospital Campaign over many years. She touched the lives of so many and had a massive influence on many many patients over the years. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis"

Dr McGarry died peacefully at St. Vincent’s Private Hospital, Dublin last Friday, 5th January.
Beloved wife of Finbar. Sadly missed by her loving children David, Ruth, Peter and Stephen, her darling grandsons Finn and Harry, her brothers Michael and Paul, sisters Patricia and Joan, brother-in-law Fr. Teddy OFM. sisters-in-law Rita, Maev and Ann, son-in-law Paddy, daughters-in-law Caroline and Nerea, extended family, friends and colleagues.

Reposing at Fanagans Funeral Home, Dundrum, on Monday with Removal to St. Mary’s Church Navan, arriving at 7.00 pm. Funeral Mass on Tuesday at 10.00 am. followed by burial at Kilternan Cemetery Park. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to the Irish Heart Foundation.