Page 9 - LOTN Spring Issue 52 2023

OBITUARY

of Keith and neighbouring parishes, in 1994, he attracted
Catholics from further afield, including England, Canada,
Qatar and Nigeria on Zoom during the Covid lockdown,
and played a part in developing prayer groups throughout the
Aberdeen Diocese and across Europe.
He was a team member of the diocese’s Ogilvie Centre
Management for Catechists and Evangelists, and worked with
the Dominican Sisters of St Cecilia at Elgin in youth activities
and organising adult retreats. Youngsters from Elgin sang and
played music at the Requiem Mass.
Current pastoral council chair at Keith, Deacon Graeme
Morrison, said: “Ged was an amazing man. He gave himself
100 per cent in everything he did, whether it was as head
teacher, chairperson of the pastoral council, leader of the
Charismatic Renewal, as a friend and as a parishioner.
“He was always the first to be there in troubled times,
whether it was personal or spiritual, an absolute rock and an
inspiration to all …. with a wicked sense of humour to match.
He will be sorely missed.”
Passionate about music, and playing the guitar, Ged was
a drama coach with the performing arts school Stagestars
(Scotland) in Keith for 18 years, and took part in many
Ged Farrell RIP musicals and variety shows.
aint Thomas’ Church in Keith was packed for the In a tribute on Facebook, arts school head Seonaid Clark
Requiem Mass of Ged Farrell, a retired head said: “Ged loved being on stage and was a fantastic actor,
teacher and prominent member of the Catholic but most will remember him for his beautiful and powerful
SChurch in the North-East.
Bishop Hugh Gilbert was joined by seven priests and two
deacons in paying tribute to a man who was described as an
inspirational figure for many. Father Colin Stewart, the Dean,
preached.
As well as education, Ged, aged 63, was heavily involved in
prayer groups and the Charismatic Renewal movement in the
diocese, Scotland and Europe.
Born in Dundee, he was educated at the city’s St Mary’s RC
Primary, Lochee, and Lawside Academy, and studied primary
teaching at Craiglockhart College of Education, Edinburgh,
where he met his future wife, Margaret.
After teaching in London for seven years, they moved to
Keith in 1988 when Margaret took up a post as maths teacher
at Keith Grammar School. She would later be a principal
teacher of guidance and deputy head.
Ged joined the staff of St Peter’s RC Primary, Buckie, in 1988
and had a spell as acting head there and then at St Thomas’
Primary, Keith, in 1992, before moving to St Sylvester’s RC
Primary, Elgin, as a teacher.
After being appointed permanent head at St Thomas’ in
1996, he also took on the role of acting head at St Sylvester’s
for a short time.
Ged was involved in the Association of Catholic Primary
Head Teachers in Scotland, helping organise conferences
among many activities.
He and Margaret both retired from teaching in 2015,
devoting more time to their duties in the Keith parish, the
diocese and the Church in general. singing voice. He was loved by all his students. We know he
Ged was leader of the parish choir and chaired the pastoral will shine bright in heaven, as he did on earth.”
council until stepping aside because of illness. Ged and Margaret have two sons, Matthew and Francis.
Taking the lead of a prayer group which embraced members
Michael Collins

Page 9