Stella Mew
It is with great sorrow that we share the news of the death of Stella Mew. Stella was a remarkable woman who was at the heart of the work of Yeats Society Sligo for many, many years. She was a former CEO of the Society, but so very much more than that. She shared her decades-long love of Yeats with so many people across the world, as well as here at home.
Stella Mew (R) with Caitriona Yeats (L) at the 63rd Yeats International Summer School 2022.
She had a prodigious memory and an abiding love and appreciation of the poetry and plays of WB Yeats; there was little about the Nobel poet’s life and work that she did not know. The Yeats International Summer School was her annual home, chatting at ease with young and old, and new and familiar faces. Stella loved Sligo as much as the poet; they were intertwined in her life.
As a teacher, a headteacher, a school governor and the CEO of Yeats Society Sligo, Stella gave her all to everything she did, and to everyone she met – always with great care and attention. The cloth she was cut from was woven with dedication, kindness and generosity and always with a twinkle in the eye.
Stella was always thinking of others, bearing her own challenges and final illness with bravery and stoicism. She lived life to the full and shared that enthusiasm with all she met and worked with. Her loss is considerable and we will mourn for her.
We know that Stella’s former colleagues, many many students, so many academics, family and so many friends will miss her deeply too, but all our lives were blessed in knowing her.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam uasal.
October 5 2022
Susan O’Keeffe
Director, Yeats Society Sligo
