A life-journey that encompassed Manorcunningham, New York city and Burnfoot was commemorated with the opening of a new science lab at Letterkenny Institute of Technology on Tuesday last (25/9/12).  New York-based philanthropist Nataly Stenzler Ritter visited the college to officially dedicate a lab in the new science block in memory of her former nanny and life-long friend, Birdie Curran Docherty, a native of Manor.

Born Bridget Curran in Moneyhaughley, Manorcunningham, in May 1911, Bridget later crossed the Atlantic to America, like many before her, and found work as a nanny.  ‘Birdie’ was a childhood nickname she proudly carried all her life.  It was in her role as a nanny to the Stenzler family that a lifelong friendship was established with Nataly Stenzler Ritter.  Birdie had been recommended to Nataly’s parents – Benjamin and Kitty Stenzler, who had arrived in New York city in 1939, on the cusp of the Second World War.

‎“Birdie was, and is, such an important part of my life,” recalled Nataly on Tuesday. “Birdie came to work for my mother in New York city when I was three years old.  Birdie lived with us in those days but she was much more than a nanny – she was a very special person who was integrally involved in my life.  She was a second mother to me.  My father died when I was just 17 and I always remember how much Birdie was there for me when I needed her.”

‎‎Birdie worked for the Stenzler family for over forty years.  Even after she married Albert Docherty, a Liverpudian-Irish sailor, she continued to work with the Stenzler’s.  Birdie and Albert returned to Ireland in 1975 and set up home at the Rockhead, Burnfoot.  Albert passed away in 1989 and Birdie survived him by twenty years, passing away in November 2009 at the age of 98.

‎Even when Birdie had returned to Donegal, Nataly and she kept in regular touch.  Birdie was a big reader of the Irish Echo and Nataly faithfully sent it to her for many years.  Indeed Birdie returned across the Atlantic when she was 89 years old for the marriage of Nataly’s daughter, staying for three weeks.  An emotional Nataly recalls that visit as “a renewal of our life together and my love of Birdie.”

‎When Birdie passed away, Nataly decided she wanted to do something in her honour.  Having consulted with Birdie’s niece Kathleen, it was decided to make a contribution for the provision of a lab in the new science block at Letterkenny IT.  And so, a journey that started in Moneyhaughley, via New York and back to Burnfoot, finally came to a fitting conclusion in Letterkenny on Tuesday last.

‎‎Nataly’s husband and his siblings have long been involved as philanthropists stateside with the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.  Kathleen’s idea, therefore, to commemorate Birdie via Donegal’s third level education facility sat well with the Stenzler family.  On Tuesday last, members of Birdie’s extended family from Cavan, Longford, Greencastle and Carndonagh, were there to witness Nataly unveiling a plaque outside a lab in the science block that will be forever known as ‘Birdie’s Lab’.

Paul Hannigan, President of Letterkenny IT, was delighted with Nataly’s decision to generously contribute to the new science lab: “This is a first for Letterkenny IT and we are indebted to Nataly and to Kathleen for choosing us in the first place.  It is very much appreciated and it is a beautiful link with Birdie.  In many ways the story of Birdie’s life is the story of Donegal.  We’re privileged to have been considered and it is an honour to have Nataly here in person to open ‘Birdie’s Lab’.”

“She would have been so very proud,” remarked a clearly emotional Nataly.  “She was so modest she’d have been embarrassed too.  She’d have said, ‘Och, don’t bother!’ but I feel she will be looking down very pleased as her essence was as a caregiver.  So to be involved in an organisation that helps students grow would have meant a lot to her.”