Mary Murray (née Gannon) was one of the very first breast-care nurses in Ireland and a founder member of the Irish Breast Care Nurses’ Association.

As an Advanced Nurse Practitioner in the Symptomatic Breast Clinic at St Vincent’s University Hospital, she cared for thousands of patients over the course of her career. At a time when specialist breast-care nursing was still developing, she helped establish and strengthen the role in Ireland and was widely respected by colleagues and patients alike. She combined clinical expertise with a deep understanding of the emotional support patients needed at some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

As one of Ireland’s first Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Mary helped break new ground for nurse-led services in Ireland. Many nurses and doctors who trained alongside her or under her guidance recalled the encouragement she gave them and the high standards she expected of herself and others.

Through the Irish Breast Care Nurses’ Association, she helped provide a professional voice for breast-care nurses and supported education, networking and professional development within the speciality.

She was instrumental in the development and establishment of the specialist Breast Care Nursing degree programme at University College Dublin, helping to educate Clinical Nurse Specialists who would go on to support patients and families across Ireland. Following her retirement from St Vincent’s, she joined the UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems as a lecturer, where she taught nursing students and shared the experience she had gained throughout her career.

Her passion for nursing could be traced back to childhood. Mary often recalled having her appendix removed at the age of seven and being so fascinated by the nurses caring for her that she later removed her own stitches. She credited that hospital stay with sparking her interest in nursing.

Her dedication to patients and the nursing profession was recognised internationally when she received the Reach to Recovery International Medal for her contribution to breast cancer care and support.

Mary became involved with the Marie Keating Foundation at a very early stage. At a time when the organisation was still establishing itself within Ireland’s cancer community, she was one of its earliest champions. She opened doors within the medical profession, introduced Professor Niall O’Higgins to the Foundation and encouraged others to lend their expertise and support. The Keating family later reflected that the organisation would not be where it is today without Mary’s guidance, encouragement and belief in its mission to make cancer less frightening by enlightening. She served on the Foundation’s Medical Advisory Board and remained a valued supporter for many years.

She was also the driving force behind the Foundation’s Survive and Thrive fashion show, which brought together people living with and beyond cancer and became a much-loved event.

Married to Martin and mother to John and Críona, and grandmother to Max, Murray, Alexa and Sadie, Mary once said she was happiest spending time with her family, friends and nursing colleagues. She also loved walking on the beach at Sanibel Island in Florida.

Her personal motto was “to be appreciative of who you have around you rather than what you have around you”.

She greatly admired Professor Niall O’Higgins for his role in advancing breast cancer care in Ireland. When asked what changes she would most like to see in healthcare, she spoke about the need for more cancer support centres, more advanced nurse practitioners and continued improvements in cancer care. Her greatest concern was the possibility that older people might not receive equal access to healthcare in the future.

The esteem in which Mary was held was reflected in the many tributes paid following her death. One former patient wrote: “She looked after me when I had breast cancer and I will never forget how wonderful she was.” A former colleague described her as “genuine, kind, compassionate and an excellent leader, way ahead of her time”, while another remembered that “the way she dealt with her breast patients was one of kindness, full of knowledge and, most of all, the ability to allay fear”.

Mary will be remembered by the many patients and families she supported throughout her career, and by the colleagues, students and friends whose lives she influenced over many years. Above all, she will be remembered for the care and reassurance she gave to people when they needed it most.

May Mary Rest in Eternal Peace.

Mary Murray (née Gannon), born 17^th of December 1951, died 23^rd of May 2026.