‘She cared deeply about others’: Limerick community mourns sudden death of Aoife, 19

A SIMPLE story recalled by a father of his teenage daughter at her funeral Mass this Saturday morning brought home the sadness of a young life cut short, but also the memories that he and his family will hold dear for the rest of their lives.

“I won’t stay too long as Aoife will say I’m silly,” Joe O’Brien said into the microphone after taking his position at the pulpit of St. John the Baptist Church in Fedamore, County Limerick, around noon.

“Anyone who knew Aoife knew what she was like and anyone who was in a room with her would always know she would make them laugh,” he continued before setting about telling the story.

It was a story which the local postman had told him in recent days since word filtered out of the sudden passing of Aoife O’Brien of Gortgarralt, Fedamore, in Portugal on Thursday, August 27.

“He was delivering a parcel and as we all know Aoife loved Shein,” Joe started off.

“She was expecting this parcel. The postman went down to another house. But she had him tracked.”

When the postman came back up to the O’Brien house he could see the shadow at the door.

“He says to Aoife, ‘here’s your parcel’, and Aoife turns around and said ‘Con, you’re 10 minutes late!’”

The laughter echoed through the church. For a split moment it broke the sadness in everyone's heart at the loss of “bubbly Aoife” who was aged just 19 when she passed away suddenly in Portugal. Her dad thanked the paramedics, Ryanair, the staff of Shannon Airport especially Laura and Philip, and Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust for all their support at the incredibly difficult time.

At just before 11.30am this Saturday, the teenager’s coffin was wheeled on a bier into the rural church by mourners wearing yellow T-shirts and tops.

Aoife’s death notice on RIP.ie had requested that in celebration of Aoife’s life “attendees are requested to wear bright colours, something yellow if possible, to signify Aoife’s love of colour”.

There were splashes of yellow everywhere. It was evident that yellow was not in the wardrobe of all before the request, but now the colour would forever hold a special place in their heart.

Slipping Through My Fingers was the song chosen for the arrival of Aoife to the altar. Aoife adored ABBA.

While she had lived only 19 years, Aoife was also, in some ways, an old soul.

The chief celebrant at the funeral Mass, Canon Michael O’Shea recalled that she “cared deeply about others, especially the elderly”.

“I loved that story that if there was an elderly man in the restaurant sitting on his own Aoife would say ‘can we bring him over to join us?’” Canon O’Shea said.

“That’s her spirit, that’s her warmth, that’s her light, that’s her generosity. Today there is so much to be inspired by this young woman.”

Canon O’Shea was assisted on the altar by Fr Sean Fennelly and Fr Michael Hanley.

Fr Sean who is the chaplain at St John the Baptist Community School in Hospital, which Aoife attended until last year, received a number of gifts brought to the altar by family and friends.

They gave a flavour of “all the beauty and the richness and the grace of Aoife”.

Aoife’s glasses represented the many hours she spent watching all of her favourite programmes - she didn’t like to miss an episode of the Kardashians, mourners heard.

A sign reading ‘I love Portugal’ represented “a country that had such a special place in her heart and brought her many happy memories”. She loved Vilamoura. Aoife and her sister Ciara had gone there to celebrate their birthdays.

Her hair bonnet was a reminder of Aoife’s love of her hair and “having it just right”

“Even at bedtime the hair had to be protected”. She was studying hairdressing, and loved perfecting her upstyles for brides.

A palm tree symbolised her love of travel and being abroad.

Aoife loved life to the full.

She loved movies, getting lost in stories and characters.

Her favourite movie was The Greatest Showman.

She also loved country music, Canon O’Shea explained.

“She was brought home the same week as Dolly Parton. I’m sure they are playing music and singing together,” he smiled.

There were also signs of her youth and tender years.

Mourners heard how she loved pizzas and her iced caramel lattes.

“And what about Nana’s mash? said Canon O’Shea.

“She was always waiting for Nana’s mash.”

All these small things, Canon O’Shea explained, will remind her nearest and dearest in the weeks, months and years to come of their Aoife.

“Hearing an ABBA song, ordering a latte and sitting down to a plate of Nana’s mash, they will bring Aoife alive in your hearts,” he noted while acknowledging that there too will be moments “we will find it hard but let’s remember the spirit of Aoife”.

“What had she?” he asked.

“She had a caring and loving heart. She had a bubbly personality that cared deeply about others.”

Surrounded by her family and friends Aoife departed St John the Baptist Church, Fedamore to the strains of John Denver’s Country Roads before beginning her final journey.

“Country roads, take me home

To the place I belong”

Aoife O’Brien, 19, was laid to rest in Taylor's Cross Cemetery, Fedamore.

May she rest in peace.