Caroline McGinley

Caroline McGinley of Woodside, New York, passed away on January 7, 2026, at the age of 47.

Born in Derry City, Ireland, to Patrick and Kathleen McGinley, Caroline was the third of five children. She was raised in Gweedore, County Donegal, where she attended Derrybeg National School and Gweedore Secondary School. From a young age, Caroline had a deep love of sports. She played both Gaelic football and basketball, representing Gweedore Secondary School as well as the Gweedore GAA Club.

After completing secondary school, Caroline attended college in County Derry before moving to Dublin, where she began her career as a bartender.

In 2005, Caroline immigrated to New York in search of new opportunities and a better life. She spent over 15 years working at The Kinsale on Third Avenue in Manhattan before continuing her career at Characters and Rumors. Caroline had a remarkable ability to make people feel welcome and at ease. Customers quickly became like family, drawn to her warmth, kindness, and ability to listen without judgment. She was a devoted sports fan, following American sports from baseball to football, and was also a passionate supporter of Manchester United. Her biggest love and passion was being an Aunt to her four nieces.

Caroline loved to travel and cherished many adventures exploring both the East and West Coasts of the United States with her best friend, Millie. She especially loved visiting Fire Island two to three times each year, a place she fondly referred to as her “happy place.”

Caroline will be remembered as a kind, caring, and extraordinarily generous soul. She was bubbly, loving, and deeply compassionate—a loyal friend and a comforting presence to all who knew her.

Caroline is survived by her loving parents, Patrick and Kathleen McGinley; her siblings, Adrian (Deirdre) McGinley, Padraig (Tamara) McGinley, Maire McGinley, and John McGinley; and her four beloved nieces, Kayleigh, Ciara, Aoife, and Kaia, whom she adored. She will also be deeply missed by her many friends, customers, and all whose lives she touched.

A celebration of Caroline’s life will take place at Papavero Funeral Home, located at 72-27 Grand Avenue, Maspeth, Queens, New York, on Monday, January 12, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Caroline’s remains will be repatriated to her beloved home in Gweedore, County Donegal, on Tuesday, January 13.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Caroline’s name to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. For more information or to leave a condolence, please visit www.papaverofuneralhome.com.