Philomena McDonagh (née Ryan) passed away on January 30, 2025 in her home in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, surrounded by her loving family. She was 80 years old.

Philomena was born on Christmas Eve in 1944 in Ashfield, Castleblakeney, County Galway, Ireland. She was raised on the family's farm by her loving parents and surrounded by three older sisters and a younger brother. Her family had very little, but she carried those precious memories of working hard on the farm and living a happy childhood during simpler times. At the age of 18, she trained at Galway Regional Hospital to become a nurse. Upon graduating, she moved to London for work. It was there that she met Patrick "Paddy" McDonagh. Together they emigrated to the States in 1969. In June of 1971 they married at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. The blessing of parenthood arrived in January of 1973, with the birth of Tracy Anne. Philomena, Paddy, and Tracy then moved to Gravesend where Phil balanced the rigors of a nursing career and the joys of motherhood with beautifying her home, tending her gardens, and, helping her neighbors.

For three decades, Philomena worked as a Registered Nurse at Victory Memorial Hospital. She found her greatest fulfillment in nursing patients, neighbors, friends and family back to health.
Philomena retired to become a devoted and full-time grandmother to Maeve Ryan and later Rebecca, a role in which she both relished and thrived as they brought her the greatest joy.

Philomena is survived by her loving husband, Patrick; her adoring daughter, Tracy Anne; her son-in-law, Erik Joerss; and her two granddaughters, Maeve Ryan and Rebecca. She is predeceased by her parents, Bridget (née Cleary) and William Ryan; her older sisters, Mae Fahey (Martin), Kathleen Ruane (James), and Bridie Divine (Brian). She is survived by her younger brother, Michael John "Mick" Ryan (Ann). She is also survived by her nieces Mary Ruane Lally, Treasa Devine Dovander, Mary Fahey Ryan, Ann Fahey Smyth, and nephews Martin, John, and Joe Fahey, Liam Ruane, and Donal Devine. She is predeceased by her nephew and Godson, Patrick Ruane.

Philomena McDonagh will be remembered by everyone whose lives she touched. She was kind, smart, loving, selfless, compassionate, committed, honest, and incredibly hard-working.

-    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -

No flowers, please. Instead, please consider a contribution in memory of Philomena to a charity you admire that helps the sick or to a tiny organization that makes an enormous impact: Bay Ridge Cares (www.bayridgecares.org).

-    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -

Visitation
Sunday, February 2, 2025
3 PM - 7 PM

Clavin Funeral Home
7722 4th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11209
Complimentary Valet Parking Available

Funeral Mass
Monday, February 3, 2025
10:45 AM
Click HERE for Funeral Mass Livestream

Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
526 59th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11220