‘Voice of an Angel’ Denise Hagan, Celebrated Singer and Teacher, Dies at 62

Denise Hagan, a beloved singer, songwriter, and music teacher from Keady, Northern Ireland, has died following a battle with cancer. She was 62 years vintage.

Hagan passed away peacefully on Friday, March 20, 2026, surrounded by her family, as St. Paul’s High School in Bessbrook announced. Tributes have poured in from across the music community and beyond, celebrating her extraordinary talent and the profound impact she had on countless lives.

A Gift for Music and Healing

Described as having a “voice of an angel,” Hagan enjoyed a successful career as a performer and lyricist. Armaghi.com reports that her music was “immediately identifiable by its powerful lyrics, many of which are deeply spiritual, and are presented in a variety of styles ranging from folk, to jazz all the way through to rock’n’roll.”

Christian Pankhurst, founder of the Heart IQ Retreat Centre, recalled meeting Hagan in 2004, stating, “Her voice was angelic… It stopped the room. It stopped me.” He described her as his “right-hand angel” during years of co-facilitating retreats in Costa Rica, Panama, and Spain, praising her “gift of healing” and ability to “change the frequency of a space without saying a word.”

Hagan’s talents extended to education, where she inspired students as a music teacher at Abbey Grammar School in Newry and St. Paul’s High School in Bessbrook. St. Paul’s High School stated she was “an esteemed member of our teaching staff and deeply valued colleague.”

Early Career and Recognition

Hagan’s early career included supporting Shania Twain in July 2003, as recognized by the Peace Mala Project charity, which remembers her as an “inspirational” singer and songwriter. Armaghi.com noted that Sterling Sound Studios in New York, known for mastering albums by artists like Lennon and Springsteen, had recognized her songwriting ambitions.

Family and Funeral Arrangements

Denise Hagan is survived by her mother, Patricia, and siblings, Orla, Jimmy, and Mark. She was predeceased by her father, Tommy, who passed away last April. St. Patrick’s The Meadow shared condolences to her sister, Orla Gorman, who is the Principal of the school.

The family will receive visitors at their home in Keady on Saturday and Sunday from 2pm to 9pm. A Requiem Mass will be held at St. Patrick’s Church in Keady on Monday at noon, with attendees encouraged to wear bright colors or accessories in honor of Hagan’s love of color.

In her final days, Hagan shared a song, “Amazing Space,” on social media, writing, “With so much going on in our crazy but beautiful world, the safest place to rest is inside our hearts.”