Moira Philomena Donnelly

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our mother Moira Donnelly (84), who departed peacefully on October 27, 2024 in Madison, WI surrounded by her family. 

Born in 1940, Moira grew up in Kinghorn, Scotland. While attending St. Columba’s High School in Cowdenbeath, Scotland Moira met her high school sweetheart, future husband, and lifelong partner, William Anthony Gibbons (Willie). 

Moira was extremely well-traveled and had the unique experience of living in Canada, New York, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Belgium, England, and Scotland. While raising her four children she earned a BSc in Biology and a MA in Science Journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 2000, Moira retired from a prestigious role leading external relations for the UK’s Royal Society of Chemistry, where she liaised with the British Parliament and influential academics.

Moira had a life-long love of learning and a thirst for knowledge. She read several international newspapers from cover to cover every day and could hold forth on an astonishing variety of subjects. She was an avid reader who loved a good crime fiction book. Her musical taste ranged from The Clancy Brothers to Frank Sinatra, Joni Mitchell, Jimmy Buffett, and Luciano Pavarotti. Her dancing moves to Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass remain a favorite family memory. She always enjoyed needle arts of all kinds including knitting, quilting and needlepoint. 

She is predeceased by her parents, Bridget (McCloskey) and Bobby Donnelly, and her brother John Donnelly. 

She is survived by Willie Gibbons, with whom she shared four children: Paul, Geri, John (Merry), and Fiona; six grandchildren (Jack, Harry, Ruth, Katie Bridget, Connor, and Luca); and granddog Murphy; her brothers Pat and Robert (Babs) Donnelly and many nephews and nieces.

A memorial service will be held at Cress Funeral Home on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at 2pm, followed by refreshments. Friends and family are welcome to join us in celebrating Moira’s life.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Moira’s name to Brown Paws Dog Rescue https://www.brownpawsrescue.com/donations.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road, Madison

(608) 238-3434