Tributes paid following passing of ‘leading light’ in education

Tributes have been paid to the late Dr Fiona Maloney, described as a “leading light” in the promotion of adult education and further learning not just in this region but across the country.

Dr Maloney (née Carolan) of Glassdrumond, Poles, Cavan Town, and formerly Kingscourt, sadly passed away following illness, peacefully and surrounded by her family, in the wonderful care of the doctors, nurses and staff at Cavan General Hospital last Friday, February 7.

She is survived by her husband Thomas and three children - Chloe, Fía and Evan; parents Austin and Nuala; brother Andrew, family and friends. Her remains were cremated at Lakelands Crematorium following Requiem Mass on Monday at St Brigid’s Church, Killygarry.

With a Doctorate in Education from Dublin City University and degrees from Trinity College Dublin, Maynooth University and University College Dublin, Dr Maloney worked as a Director of Further Education with Cavan VEC, and later the CMETB.

She had served as Director of FET at the ETBI since 2017 where she successfully led the delivery of various complex national transformational projects across the ETB and FET networks. In 2023, she was appointed to the post of Director of the National Tertiary Office, charged with developing new pathways to higher education as part of a unified tertiary system.

At the February monthly meeting of Cavan County Council the late Dr Maloney was described as having been a “leading light” in the sector.

Such was the esteem in which she was held that former Taoiseach and now Tánaiste, Fine Gael leader Simon Harris, attended to sympathise with Dr Maloney’s family over the weekend. He had worked alongside the proud Cavan woman as Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. His aide de camp was in attendance at Dr Maloney’s funeral then on Monday.

Fianna Fáil’s Clifford Kelly led the tributes to Dr Maloney at the meeting.

“She was very well known in the education field,” he said, commenting that it was “nice to see that acknowledgement” in respect of Minister Harris’ own tribute. “She’ll be remembered not just in Cavan and Monaghan but across the whole country.”

His colleague said that, while Dr Maloney’s death would be felt deeply by those she worked with, his thoughts remained with those closest to her - her family.

“My thoughts and prayers are with her family.”

Fine Gael’s Carmel Brady, who is current chair of CMETB, said that the “tremendous work” done by Dr Maloney over the years had benefited generations of people. “She dedicated her life to education - her own and her career.”

Independent Shane P O’Reilly remembered Dr Maloney for her buoyant personality. “She did so much for people.”

He added: “She was a leading light in education in this county.”

Cllr Brendan Fay (Ind) said Dr Maloney’s passing was a massive loss to this county and education in general; while Áine Smith (FF) spoke of just how impressive she was as a panellist at various events. “Her contributions were exemplary. She always knew her stuff.”

Chief Executive of Cavan County Council, Eoin Doyle, also joined in the vote of sympathy. He recognised the work that Dr Maloney had done in helping lay the foundations upon which many more people were able to access education at whatever stage of life. Her death therefore was “clearly a very great loss”.