(English follows)
Tha sinn uabhasach duilich an naidheachd gun do chaochail Oighrig Keogh a sgaoileadh dhuibh. Chaochail Oighrig air madainn an 30mh dhen Dùbhlachd 2025. A rèir a miannan, cha bhi seirbhis tìodhlacaidh ann. Bidh seirbhis uaighe ann as t-earrach. Tha ar smuaintean is ar n-ùrnaighean le mac Andrew is le teaghlach air fad. Bha Oighrig an sàs ann an Comunn Gàidhlig Thoronto le mòran gràis is dealais. Bha i na ball dhen a’ Chomunn bho chionn an Fhaoilleachd 1961 is ghabh i os làimh iomadh ròl, a bharrachd air a bhith na Ceannard. Bha sgilean is eòlas Oighrig gan cur gu feum ann an iomadh dòigh leis a’ Chomunn. A bharrachd air a h-uallaichean mar Oifigear, bha i an sàs anns a’ Chomataidh Ainmneachaidh fad iomadh bliadhna, a’ brosnachadh is a’ cur air adhart na Gàidhlig fhèin; eòlas air eachdraidh, litreachas, agus ceòl na Gàidhlig; agus luchd-fuirich Mòr-roinn Thoronto le sinnsireachd Albannach no le ùidh ann an Alba a thoirt ri chèile. Bu tric i bhiodh i a’ conaltradh ri buill o dhùthchannan cèin a thigeadh dha na cèilidhean Zoom againn. Theagaisg i Gàidhlig ann an seòmraichean-clas is aig an dachaigh. Bha i cudromach ann a bhith a’ stèidheachadh na Còisire a bh’ againn anns na 70an, agus bhiodh a’ bhuidheann mhòr de sheinneadairean a’ dol air thuras gu iomadh àite airson seinn is pàirt a ghabhail ann an co-fharpaisean. Bha ùidh aice an-còmhnaidh ann a bhith a’ coinneachadh ri daoine ùra is a’ cur fàilte romhpa dhan a’ Chomunn, a’ brosnachadh leas na ballrachd. Airson a dealais is a dìlseachd dhan a’ Chomunn, choisinn i Ballrachd Beatha air a co-latha-breith an-uiridh. ’S i Ballrachd Beatha an t-urram as àirde anns a’ Chomunn. Bidh Ballrachdan Beatha a’ comharrachadh a’ bhuill a thug seirbhis luachmhor is leantainneach le h-ùine, le tàlantan, le gliocas, is le lèirsinn farsaing fad iomadh bliadhna. Thèid an t-urram seo a thoirt do bhall a nochd ceannardas, misneachd, is dealas ann a bhith ag obair ann an sgioba gus co-dhùnaidhean cudromach a dhèanamh. Tha an fheadhainn a bha eòlach oirre air am beannachadh le cuimhnichean iongantach de bhoireannach a bha na caraid is na co-bhall dìlis is coibhneil. Mheal na buill a freagairtean dìreach do cheistean, a taic, is a deagh-ghean. Tha sinn anabarrach taingeil airson a h-uile rud luachmhor a rinn i is cha leigear a dìlse air dìochuimhne. Tha ar n-obair an-diugh na moladh buan chan ann a-mhàin dha sàr-bheachdan ach cuideachd dha dealas. Bidh sinn ag ionndrainn làthaireachd Oighrig nar beathannan gu mòr. Fois dha h-anam. It is with profound sadness that we share with you the news of the passing of Oighrig Keogh. Oighrig passed away the morning of December 30th 2025. As per Oighrig's wishes, there will be no funeral service. There will be a gravesite service held in the Spring. Our thoughts and prayers are with her son Andrew and her family. Oighrig served The Gaelic Society of Toronto with much grace and dedication. She was a member of the Society since January 1961 and assumed many roles as well as serving as the Chief. Oighrig’s skills and knowledge were used to advantage in the many facets of the Society. In addition to her responsibilities as an Officer, she served on the Nominating Committee for many years encouraging and promoting of the Gaelic language; the study of Gaelic history, literature and music and uniting residents of the Greater Toronto Area who are of Scottish origin or interested therein, in fact she frequently communicated with members from distant countries who would join us in our Zoom Ceilidhs. She taught Gaelic both in the classroom and at home. She was instrumental in forming the Choir we had in the 70s and the large group of singers travelled to many places preforming and competing. She was always interested in meeting new people and introducing them to the Society, promoting the interests of the members. For her steadfast willingness to serve the Society, she was awarded a Life Membership on her birthday last year. A Life Membership is the highest Honour in the Society. Life Memberships celebrate the member who has given valuable and continuous service with her time, talents, wisdom and vision over numerous years. This honour is given to a member who has displayed great leadership, confidence and dedication to work within a team to make important decisions. Those who knew her are blessed with wonderful memories of a woman who was a devoted and caring friend and fellow member. Members have enjoyed her direct responses to inquiries, her support and positive attitude. We are extremely grateful for her many contributions and her commitment will not be forgotten. Our work today is an enduring tribute not only to her high ideals but also to her dedication. We will deeply miss Oighrig's presence in our lives. Fois dha h-anam. |
Julie Bond: To say I am heartbroken to learn of Oighrig's passing would be a grave understatement. I was privileged to serve with Oighrig for several years on the Society's Board and have many happy memories of her. She was a force to be reckoned with, a headstrong and determined lady who fiercely advocated for Gaelic. Her passion and laughter were electric; she was an inspiration to me. My thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time. I will celebrate her legacy and remember her fondly.
Bonnie Tiffin: I first met Oighrig one Saturday at Temperanceville United Church in Richmond Hill where I was invited to attend Gaelic classes. She became my talented, extremely patient teacher (twenty years later I’m still struggling) and a good friend. I moved out of the area but we still kept in touch. She always encouraged me to continue with my lessons and I will miss her smiling outlook on life and of course Scotland. Time to to rest my friend 🥰 John Mcneil: I am grateful that someone connected me to Oighrig in 2017 when searching for my father then met my father in Barra through Oighrig. Having talked to Oighrig on the phone many times up to 2025 it gave me a sense of her willingness to look forward standing firm solid and unmovable through good weather and bad. I am from New Zealand, my name is John Mcneil and very thankful to have known Oighrig A school motto we had E iwi kotahi tatou – we are one people; Clanna Nan Gaidheal Ri Guaillibh A Cheile May we all be on one accord looking forward firm solid and unmovable Ishbel MacIver: "Among my memories of Oighrig are the many years she directed/conducted the Gaelic Society choir, a fun time to be sure! At one time this choir consisted of around forty women and men. She organized performances in Toronto and at various country fairs. Also a bus trip to a Celtic festival in Montreal; Gaelic songs all the way!" | ||||||
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