Leaving a proud legacy in education

It was with regret that we noted the death of Dr Fiona Maloney, a formidable force in education, credited with playing a “revolutionary” role in breaking down barriers to education and creating more routes and better access for all to degree courses.

Aged 55 years, Fiona sadly passed away on February 7 last at Cavan General Hospital surrounded by her dear husband, Thomas and her loving children Chloe, Fía and Evan.

A native of Kingscourt, Fiona was born on April 23, 1969, to Nuala and Austin Carolan and grew up alongside her younger brother Andrew.

Her love for education began when she obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from UCD in 1990 before attaining a Higher Diploma in Adult and Continuing Education from Maynooth University in 2000.

In 2002, Fiona completed her first Masters in Adult Education from Maynooth University.

To add to her growing portfolio of skills and knowledge, Fiona obtained her Masters in Education from Trinity College Dublin in 2016, and concluded her studies by adding a Doctorate in Further Education from DCU in 2021 to her locker.

Fiona was a formidable force in education and began her professional career in Cavan where an initial two-week post was extended, and many years later she found herself calling Cavan home.

Her progression from Cavan College (now Cavan institute) to Cavan Monaghan ETB was effortless. Later she was responsible for overseeing all the ETBs in Ireland as the Director of Further Education and Training in ETBI.

She devoted her life to educating and enabling people's access to education, and her appointment as Director of the National Tertiary Office in 2023 was the pinnacle of her career.

As Director of the National Tertiary Office, Fiona was instrumental in creating tertiary degree courses that provide alternative routes to third-level education without relying on Leaving Certificate points. The provision of diverse and progressive pathways for learners to enable progression between and across different institutions was key to creating a unified tertiary sector, and this was Fiona’s ambition.

She was most proud these tertiary degrees gave access for students and people who might never have considered pursuing a degree. They also helped to break down financial, social, and other barriers to education.

Fiona liaised closely with HEA, SOLAS, ETBI, ETBs, DFHERIS, the Department of Education, FET, AONTAS, NALA, NAPD, TUI, QQI, CCLD, CORU, HSE, universities and institutes throughout her career.

Glowing tributes

Her long-lasting impact on education and her contribution to ETBI and NTO was recently remembered at the ETBI National FET Conference in Sligo. Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, also acknowledged and commended the pivotal role Fiona played on the development of higher and further education services in Ireland.

An Tánaiste Simon Harris and formerly Minister for Further and Higher Education, with whom she worked closely with as Director of the National Tertiary Office, paid homage to Fiona and highlighted “the incredible role she played in reforming access to third level education in Ireland”.

Fiona’s revolutionary impact in various aspect of life led to local and nationwide acclaim from councillors, politicians, senators, TDs and Ministers.

Fiona has been described as a “leading light in the promotion of adult education and further learning” in Cavan and across the country, inspiring many to continue, further and return to education.

Fiona was a trailblazer, advocate and a champion of access to education, and her impact on Further and Higher Education has been enormous.

Family woman

But her greatest love in life was her family. Fiona was a devoted wife and mother. She married Thomas in July 1998 and, together, they built a life full of love, laughter and memories, before welcoming their three children to the world; Chloe, Fía and Evan.

Fiona and Thomas lived life in the fast lane and embarked on various trips together before becoming a family. Twenty-nine years of unconditional love was shared between Thomas and Fiona, and that love will always remain strong.

Family holidays were the highlight of her life, and the last family holiday was a mesmerising trip around Italy in September 2024. Fiona could apply herself to any task or role to add to her ever-growing repertoire of skills, but never let work overshadow her role as a mother.

Fiona guided each of her children through life, school and college, providing continuous and unwavering support free from pressure. She was a constant backbone for her children, calling and comforting them on a daily basis before, during and after their college studies. She always put everyone else’s needs before her own and was incredibly loving, thoughtful and selfless.

Every special occasion was celebrated with Fiona’s ‘go big or go home’ attitude as she always wanted to make memories. Fiona is lovingly remembered as a kind, charismatic and enthusiastic woman whose contagious laughter warmed the hearts of all those around her. She left a lasting impression on everyone she met throughout her lifetime, which reflects the high esteem in which she was held.

Fiona’s funeral mass was celebrated on February 10 last in St Brigid’s Church, Killygarry. Fr Kevin Fay was the lead celebrant with assistance from Fr Padraig McKenna and Fiona’s uncle Fr Emmet Carolan. It was a very beautiful ceremony with people coming from far and wide to celebrate Fiona’s life.

Fiona’s kindness, wisdom, and devotion will be deeply missed. Her legacy in education will continue on through her long lasting and transformative impact on further education in Ireland. Her bright, fierce and energetic spirit lives on with her family and friends and will never be forgotten.

May she rest in peace.