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RTÉ News / TwitterJohn Clarke, husband of the late Marian Finucane, said that she "always made the colours brighter, the world a bit easier to live in" | https://t.co/OHhaNAF7ML pic.twitter.com/VT8VhCA3M3
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) January 7, 2020
MARIAN FINUCANE’S HUSBAND said that the veteran broadcaster had decided to retire last December.
John Clarke said that they had been “so excited” at the prospect of retirement: “We would have more time, more space, more books to read, more places to see. Sadly that’s not going to happen.”
The 69-year-old radio presenter, who had been the voice of various flagship RTÉ programmes for four decades, passed away at her home last Thursday.
Today, a large crowd of family, friends and colleagues gathered at St Brigid’s Church in Kill, Co Kildare for her funeral.
In a heartfelt eulogy address, her husband John described the relationship he had with “my Marian, a woman who I’ve loved for 40 years”, who he said made “the colours brighter, the world a bit easier to live in”.
Somebody said about us, I don’t know who, that we were two 15-year-old adolescents who were addicted to each other and forgot to grow up. I don’t deny that.
“I find myself so powerless at the moment, I truly don’t know what to do,” John told the congregation, while visibly upset.
Some weeks ago we were in a township in Africa where a very old black woman said to us, the only thing I can give you are my tears – and that’s all I think I can do today.
Their son Jack had spoken earlier about his mother’s “great empathy and curiosity”.
He said that “the woman I knew was a shy lady who was as happy reading a book in silence as she was sitting around the dinner table in the small hours of the morning with friends, laughing, joking, singing (when she could remember the words), debating the politics of the day, and generally sorting out the world’s problems one dinner party at a time”.
The chief celebrant of the mass Monsignor Ciarán O’Carroll, who is a cousin of Marian’s, paid tribute to her as “an icon of Irish broadcasting”.
A generous and determined woman, and a thoughtful and kind friend whose keen sense of humour enriched the lives of many, her charity work at home and abroad was simply outstanding.
“Thousands always enjoyed her programmes and she will be missed on the radio. Publicly, the nation has lost a skilled broadcaster.”
Born in 1950, Marian Finucane first worked with RTÉ in the 1970s. A qualified architect, she became a programme presenter working on programmes concerned with contemporary social issues, especially those concerning women, notably on Women Today.
She became a household name with her Liveline programme on RTÉ Radio One. A winner of the Prix Italia, her television work included Consumer Choice and Crime Line.
On Gay Byrne’s retirement in 1999, she took over his early morning radio slot to present The Marian Finucane Show, ultimately taking over the morning slots on Saturday and Sunday.
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It’s a sad day with both Marion and Larry gone.
@The digenous: rte will even more blander then it already is..
@Victor Feldman: Indeed Victor. In my opinion the only good thing from RTE is RTE Gold Radio,of which the late Larry was part of.Brilliant music from across the decades but !!! Their going to fcuk that up as well shortly.
@Victor Feldman: ‘will even more blander’…at least get your basic grammar right if you’re going to try and claim the high ground.
@Alan McArdle: Don’t be the arsehole Alan.
The pain John Clarke is feeling breaks my heart. As much as Marian was admired as a broadcaster firstly & most importantly of all she was a wife & a mother & nobody can ever fill the void she has left in John & Jack’s lives. My thoughts are with them tonight. It is sad to think that one of every couple will have to go through what John is going through at some stage of their life’s so be kind to bereaved friends & family, the heart break of that kind of loss is not easy to get through. Rest in peace Marian.
@Mary Cullinane: well said
Not really surprising – she would have been 70 this year, and was going to be a grandmother soon, probably wanted to spend more time with family.
Plus after 45 years with RTE, no doubt felt she had done her share. She did more than her share.
Rip Marian, a national icon….Mr. Clarke, you are dignified gentleman. A real man….Rip, Gerry, Tony, Uncle Gaybo, Marian, and Larry.
She came to my rescue in my dreams one night over the Christmas. Fíréan ab ea í. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.
@lisa duignan: Why are you writing in Polish? Get a grip please!!!
@james dimaggio: Irish
That was the first microphone drop of 2020. What a beautiful eulogy from someone who loved his parents for 40 years.
@Aonghus OReilly: his partner.
So very sorry to hear of Marian’s untimely death…..God rest Her.
I will miss hearing her lovely voice on RTE.
I’m so very sorry to hear about Marian’s passing. My partner is a big fan of her broadcasting but unfortunately he suffered a brain haemorrhage on the morning her passing was announced and he’s still in ICU. It’s honestly one of the things I’m worried about telling him when he’s further in his recovery and less confused than right now. May Marian R.I.P. Thoughts with her family and loved ones x
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