Heartbreaking scenes unfolded in Co Meath at the Funeral Mass of a much-loved school teacher and her newborn daughter.
Aoife Bird (née Oates), originally from Co Waterford but living with her family in Longwood, Co Meath, passed away on Wednesday after a sudden illness, just one day after her baby daughter Ailbhe died, reports The Mirror.
Aoife, a popular teacher of Spanish, Business and Special Educational Needs at Ashbourne Community School, was buried with her baby Ailbhe in Clonee Cemetery, Longwood, following the Funeral Mass at St Brigid’s Church, Boardsmill, Trim, on Tuesday morning.
Those gathered were told Aoife was a “motivated” young teacher who was “an inspiration to her students” and that little Ailbhe is now forever in her mother’s arms, reports The Mirror.
“Losing my sister has been one of the most challenging things we’ve ever had to face,” Aoife’s sister Róisín told mourners outside the church.
“It’s something we never imagined having to do, and even now, it feels surreal, but we know that Aoife understands exactly how much she meant to all of us. She did absolutely everything she could to save herself, because that was who she was, strong, determined, stubborn in the best way, but she was also too good, too gentle, too pure for this world, a hard exterior wrapped around the softest of tears.”
She added: “We promise that your legacy will stay alive every single day. We promise that Daithí will always know his mammy… how proud you are of him, how much joy he brought to your life.
“We know that baby Ailbhe is in your arms forever, and I’m so sorry you couldn’t do more for you both…. And don’t worry, we will look after Jim”, reports The Mirror.
Symbols of Aoife’s life brought to the altar included a Kilkenny jersey, her showjumping jacket, an Ireland flag, a photo of Aoife with her friends and a picture of Jim, Daithí and baby Ailbhe.
In an emotional eulogy, the priest told the congregation that Aoife’s siblings have each, in their own way, “inherited so many of her attributes”, reports The Mirror.
“We will always remember who will be forever the greatest gift of love that Jim and Daithí could ever have received, a baby, who in those few precious months has given hope and joy and love way beyond the measure of her days,” he shared, reports The Mirror.
“We will remember a young teacher who has been a light and an inspiration to her students, a colleague full of fun in the staff room, a friend and a keen competitor in the show jumping arena, representing her locality and even her country. We could see the devotion of her devastated parents, Margaret and Peter, such lovely people. Her heartbroken grandparents, Mick and Kathleen and Aoife’s siblings, each in their own way, have inherited so many of her attributes,” reports The Mirror.
“The siblings have such beautiful memories of growing up together, especially from Christmas Eve, staying up waiting for Santa to arrive, Aoife insisting that they all hang out together in her room, the same room, by the way, that she clung on to even when she moved here to Meath. How Ashton has inherited Aoife’s kindness, Aoife would do anything for anyone, a willingness to help, a generous heart, someone who gets up and gets on with it. Aoife has always been highly motivated, always going after what she wants, a quality and and motivation that has inspired not only Siobhan but everyone who has been so fortunate to have shared in Aoife’s life and her dreams,” reports The Mirror.
“It is impossible not to be inspired by the loving care and devotion you have for each other. It’s little wonder that every young family in this community here have regarded you and your family with the highest respect and esteem. We’ve already seen your mother’s incredible resilience, which will no doubt be a rock and steadfast support in the time to come for you,” reports The Mirror.
“I want to assure you, and to assure all of people’s family and friends from Waterford, Kilkenny, Ashburn and everywhere, that this church of St Brigid’s will continue to embrace you in our care as a parish community where faith and love are put into practice, and where the memory of Aoife and Ailbhe,” reports The Mirror.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
