Sharon Ryan, the 32 year-old woman who died in a double road tragedy in Co. Limerick on Sunday, was recalled at her funeral mass this afternoon as “a beautiful, bubbly, happy person”.
Michelle Ryan, Sharon’s sister, told mourners in St. Joseph’s Church, Carras, Hollymount, Co. Mayo, that “everyone who knew Sharon loved her”.
Her fond tribute was echoed in a homily delivered by Canon John D. Flannery, deputising for the local parish priest, Fr. Micheal Murphy who is on pilgrimage in Lourdes.
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“We meet on a very sad occasion not just for the family who suffer and grieve but for a whole community”, Canon Flannery said.
Canon Flannery recalled her baptism and growing up and developing “a personality that shone, the smile, the infectious joy and good humour.
“She had a tremendous empathy for the elderly. Her good deeds have gone before her."
Fr. Michael Gormally, P.P., Kilmaine, the home parish of Brian Mullin, who also died in Friday’s tragedy, was a concelebrant of today’s Requiem Mass.
Sharon’s parents, Peter and Ann, carried the gifts of bread and water to the altar at today’s Mass.
Gifts brought to the altar included a football to symbolise the 32-year-old’s love of and involvement in sport.
In a fond eulogy, Michelle Ryan said her sister was a promoter of general equality long before the concept became trendy.
Sharon ended her eulogy by thanking the emergency services who attended Sunday’s fatal accident as well as the colleagues and neighbours who had helped and consoled her bereaved family since news of the tragedy broke.
Chief mourners at today’s funerals were Sharon’s parents, Peter and Ann and her siblings, Michelle and Emmett.
Burial took place in Roundfort Cemetery.
The funeral of Brian Mullin, who also died in Sunday’s tragedy, is scheduled for tomorrow following Requiem Mass at 2 p.m. in St. Patrick’s Church, Kilmaine.
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