‘She showed amazing strength, resilience, bravery and courage’ - Niamh Kelly laid to rest in Westport

WESTPORT woman Niamh Kelly has been remembered as ‘an inspiration’ who had ‘a bit of chat for everyone, no matter who they were’.

Large numbers filed into St Mary’s Church in Westport this afternoon (Thursday) to bid farewell to Niamh, who passed away at the age of 26 in the care of Mayo Hospice.

A past student of Quay NS and Westport’s Sacred Heart School, Niamh had been working locally in Kavanagh’s Supervalu prior to her illness.

An iPhone, a make-up bag, a Mayo jersey, a family photograph were brought to the alter as symbols of Niamh's life following remarks from her sister Aoife, who described Niamh as ‘an inspiration to us all’.

Aoife began by thanking all those who had sympathised with the family following the passing of her sister.

“We are truly grateful. We knew Niamh was a popular girl, but we are only realising the true extent of her popularity. We are completely overwhelmed by the huge crowds that turned out yesterday evening for Niamh. As Mam has said, over the last couple of days we had our own little celebrity on our hands.”

She went on to thank the staff at Mayo University Hospital and Mayo Hospice who cared for Niamh during her illness, the staff at Supervalu Westport – Niamh’s former employers – and the staff at The Towers in Westport.

Aoife said her sister’s life had been ‘way too short’ and recalled her love of her family, music, fashion, beauty and make-up.

She also spoke of the ‘bravery’ with which she bore her illness prior to her passing.

“No matter how bad things got and no matter what news she heard, she would take a moment for herself, have a little cry, but then she’d dust herself off and she’d go again. Not once did we ever hear her complain about what she was going through. She just got on with things and she showed amazing strength, resilience, bravery and courage,” Aoife told the congregation.

“Niamh was a determined young woman and continued to live her life as best she could, and at no point did she let her illness define her. And so today is all about a celebration of Niamh’s life. She was so full of life, bubbly and chatty. She had a bit of chat for everyone, no matter who they were. Although Niamh’s life was way too short, she sure packed a lot into her 26 years.”

Aoife then acknowledged her parents for bringing ‘a gorgeous girl’ into the world.

“Ye did a fantastic job in rearing her, instilling values of respect, hard work, love courage and kindness. It is clear to see ye both had a huge part to play in Niamh turning out to be a fine young woman. Ye were always the ones Niamh would go to in times of need and she loved ye both so much,” said Aoife.

“Have no regrets and be proud of yourselves because you have done an excellent job with Niamh. I know it’s not much consolation, but cherish all the lovely memories ye have of Niamh and in time it will give you comfort. I know you’re both devastated and your hearts are broken into pieces, but remember you’re not alone. Myself, Donna,Lee, Richard and Averil and the whole communities of Westport and Castlebar are here for you now and in the difficult days ahead.”

Aoife also thanked Niamh’s boyfriend Liam for his love and support, adding: “We have no doubt that had things been different you would have spent the rest of your lives together.”

She concluded her remarks by quoting the late campaigner Vicky Phelan: “I thought how wonderful life is, even when everything is thrown at you. It is what you do with it and who you spend it with that matters.”

Later on in the service, Westport Parish Priest Fr John Kenny led mourners in a rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ in honour of Niamh, who would be turning 27 on August 30.

Niamh has been laid to rest in Aughavale Cemetery.

She will be sadly missed by her loving parents Don and Margaret, her boyfriend Liam McHugh, sisters Donna, Aoife and Avril, brothers Lee and Richard, brothers-in-law Donat Moloney, Vincent Kelly and Carl McEnroe, sisters-in-law Olivia and Penny, Niamh’s godchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, neighbours and friends.

May her soul rest in peace.