‘She was an inspiration to everyone' – Sister's touching funeral eulogy for sister (24) who died in Australia
Hundreds of people attended the requiem Mass amid beautiful sunshine in Togher Church on Saturday.
Grace recalled how Maire Claire had spent the last two weeks of her life living life to the full. She was with her boyfriend Paraic, who she adored, visiting her two favourite people in the whole world, her sister Heather and best friend Roisin, both of whom had been living in Sydney.
Grace said: "Marie Claire had a smile that could light up any room, she had an infectious energy that inspired everyone around her, she wore her heart on her sleeve and it was open to everyone.
"This was evident in the love she shared with the love of her life Paraic. Paraic entered our lives two years ago and the impact he made on Maire Claire and our family can't be overstated.
"Every time he walked into our kitchen Maire Claire's eyes lit up. She loved nothing more than walking the beach with him."
Grace said her family got great comfort from knowing their daughter and sister spent the last two weeks of her life with the people she loved most in this world - her favourite people and best friends Heather and Roisin.
She said: "What an amazing two weeks they had, from a hot air balloon, to a sky dive to snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, she experienced more things in those two weeks with her best friends than most people experience in a lifetime."
Maire Claire works as a nurse at St Joseph's Hospital, Ardee and Grace said her smile translated so well into her nursing career as she was also caring by nature.
She added: "Over the past two weeks it has been so comforting to hear how much she was adored by colleagues and patients.
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"Football also played a massive part in her life and the Finbarr ladies were like a family to her.
"A messer in training but once she took to the field she gave 110pc every time and was instrumental in all the great successes the club has shared."
Members of the club lined up to honour her as her cortege made its way both in and out of Togher Church.
The Parish Priest Fr Paddy Rushe told mourners that there were "no words that can carry the weight of the moment."
He said: "We gather not only in mourning but also in shock, disbelief, it still feels impossible to accept that Marie Claire, so young, so full of life, so loved, is no longer with us.
"Her absence leaves a silence that will echo loudly, not just in her family but in every place where her smile once lit up the room. Her voice lifted spirits and her presence brought warmth and joy."
She is survived by her father Andrew, mother Mary, sisters Grace, Heather, and Frances and partner Paraic.
A Go Fund page to help the County Louth family bring Maire Claire home from Australia and pay for their expenses, has raised over €143,000.
Over 3,500 people contributed from all over Ireland and across the globe.
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