Young Limerick woman killed in road accident was 'a generous, loving angel'
A "generous, loving angel" from Monaleen Heights, who was studying to be a pharmacist, tragically lost her life following a road accident in Britain at the weekend.
Jemma O'Sullivan, 22, lost her life when she was involved in a four-vehicle collision on a busy motorway on Friday evening, as she was returning to Sunderland, in England's north-east where she was studying for a degree in pharmacy.
Jemma – the front-seat passenger in a Citroen Berlingo, which her boyfriend Alan was driving – died when four vehicles crashed on the northbound carriageway of the M18 motorway, near Doncaster in South Yorkshire. Alan remains is in a stable condition in hospital in Sheffield.
The former Castletroy College student was returning to the University of Sunderland, where she was about to commence her final year studying pharmacy.
Her brother Justin said she planned to work in a hospital after her studies.
Speaking to the Leader, Justin described his sister as a "generous, loving angel". He recalled how she spent hours of her own time volunteering for Milford Hospice. And the summer before last, she went to South Africa to work as a volunteer with an Aids Charity.
"She was an angel. Jemma was so giving, and so loving. The amount of time and help she gave to people. She was just such a nice person," her brother said, fighting back tears.
Although plans for Jemma's funeral have yet to be announced, when it does take place, there is expected to be a large attendance from her friends at Castletroy College, as well as the University of Sunderland, where there is a large proportion of Irish students studying pharmacy.
"She touched a lot of people, and did a lot of good in the couple of years she was here with us. She could not give enough to people.
Everyone Jemma met, she would have impacted on their life. She was such a happy-go-lucky kid, and always did good to people," her father Vincent said.
When the tragedy occurred, Jemma was travelling from Reading, in the south-east of England, where her boyfriend Alan is from. Alan had secured employment at Newcastle University, just a short distance from Sunderland.
Vincent said Alan is now out of intensive care, and is expected to be out of hospital later this week. "He has a lot of broken bones, and a major broken heart," Vincent said.
Monaleen-based Fine Gael councillor Michael Sheehan taught Jemma games when she was at the area's national school. He recalls her as "a most enthusiastic and positive child."
"To lose her life like this is tragic. She would have got on well with everybody. A child you would love to have as your own daughter. She was totally dedicated. Jemma was a very patient child, with a lovely personality. She was very easy to talk with, and very considerate," he said.
Castletroy Golf Club, where Jemma played for nine years, said members had learned of her death with "shock and sadness" and extended deep sympathy to her family.
The parish priest of Monaleen, Monsignor Dan Neenan, says people in the area are finding it hard to comprehend what's happened.
He said: "I am utterly shocked. There is an air of sadness throughout the parish at the death of this young woman who was so bright, intelligent, full of personality, and also so incredibly caring.
Her family would say she was something really special. She was so kind, and yet as fun loving a person you could meet."
Jemma is survived by her parents Margaret and Vincent, sister Ita, 28, and brother Justin, 31.
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Tuesday 22 May 2012
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