Irish woman shot dead in New York 'stolen' from her family, funeral told
Mourners and family members outside the Church of the Assumption, Tullyallen, Drogheda this morning, as the coffin of Denise Morgan arrives ahead of her funeral. Denise was murdered by her boyfriend in Queens, New York, on October 21st. Picture: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie
The funeral mass of an Irish woman shot dead in New York has heard she was “stolen” from her family and “will never receive justice in this world.”
Denise Zaitschek, nee Morgan, 39, from Tullyallen in Co Louth was murdered during a row with her partner at their home in Queens in the early hours of Saturday, October 21.
She was shot in the head and neck by her partner Joe Taveras, 33, who then turned the gun on himself.
Police found their remains at the home they shared in Glendale, close to Kew Gardens and Forest Hill.
Denise's family flew to New York last week to repatriate her remains to Ireland.
On Saturday morning the community of Tullyallen outside Drogheda, packed into the Church of the Assumption for her funeral. Family and friends carried the mother of one’s remains in a grey casket before placing photos of her on the alter.
Coldplay’s “Yellow” as well as Bryan Adams “Heaven” were performed during the emotional service.
Offertory gifts included a picture that Denise’s daughter Mollie drew, video games, her vape which “apparently was always in her hand,” her boots that “she loved so much,” red lipstick, a workout DVD, and crystals that she kept around her for “comfort.”
Speaking at her mass, Parish Priest Fr Sean Dooley said people wondered how something like this could “happen to such a beautiful woman.” He described Denise’s family as “close knit” and thanked those who had gathered around and offered support to them.
“Young people with such empathy impressive resourceful, and such knowledge of how to contact so many different organisations” he said. “It is amazing to witness young Christian parents acting as missionaries struggling to find the soft, non-threatening words to explain in a simple language to their little beloved children what has happened.
He continued, “Denise was stolen from us; her life was suddenly cut off in a brutal way and sadly there will be no justice for her in this world.
“The precious cornerstone of our foundation of our faith and our family peace has been violently shaken but some very deep roots remain in tack.
“Our community is traumatised with a flood of various emotions released as we subconsciously identify with you (Denise’s family). We have all wanted to help but were unsure how to respond.”
Fr Dooley then cited the new Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023, which introduced a range of new criminal offences and tougher sentencing that came into effect on Wednesday.
“Hopefully her tragic death will help us as a community to develop an understanding of domestic violence and call out inappropriate behaviour and the cultural attitudes that underpin domestic violence ”, he said.
He added “It is somewhat ironic “ that the law came into force this week.
The one-hour service heard Denise was born on January 22, 1984, to Deirdre and Noel Morgan who have three other children; Lisa, Shannon, and John.
She had moved to the US around five years ago with her daughter Mollie and her former husband Larry, the pair separated amicably.
Denise was working in The Cottage Bar restaurant in New York at the time of her death.
Fr Dooley said people would remember Denise “as a lovely bubbly polite woman who always had time to greet another person”.
“She has been the most beautiful mother, person, daughter, sister, cousin, niece, and friend” he said.
“Her many Facebook page posts and pictures tell of a woman oozing with a love that attracted others.”
He said Denise was “born to be a mum,” and “from the moment she realised Mollie was on the way and until her very last day, Mollie slept with her.
“Even her last post was of Mollie and herself, everything was for Mollie.”
“Generosity and service are two words that help to sum up Denise’s life,” said Fr Dooley. “Front of house was her strength and her desire to service others.
“At one stage in her life she helped to manage Daly’s restaurant — even on Christmas day she helped to offer food to the homeless.” He said she enjoyed Halloween, “a time when we experience, when we explore the two dimensions of life.”
A family member Mandy read a reflection on Denise’s life and said her “smile was infectious.” She thanked everyone who helped bring her remains home to Ireland and said, “we all share on thing in common today, our love for Denise.”
“Her daughter Mollie was the love of her life, and she was the life and soul of the party.”
She said although Denise loved her life in New York she was a home bird and that she was very close to her mother.
“We can’t call you where you are, but we will look for you in other ways.” She added that the family had lost a piece of ourselves that will never return.
Pricilla Grainger with Stop Domestic Violence Ireland told the Irish Examiner “We are saddened by the horrific murder of the beautiful Denise Morgan.
“We at Stop Domestic Violence Ireland cannot emphasise enough that it vital to 'Plan to Exit.' We cannot imagine what this poor beautiful mother has had to suffer — all because she said no to a relationship that she wasn’t happy in.
“Domestic abuse/violence isn’t just physical. It’s verbal, emotional, psychological, controlling, manipulation and so much more. We always say if you ever get that gut feeling you know it’s wrong don’t ignore it.
“We urge anyone who feels or knows that they may be in an abusive relationship/marriage to reach out to us, please make that first step.”
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