Communities in both Co Offaly and Australia are grieving after the unexpected passing of an Irish mother-of-two who was remembered as someone who “could light up any room,” reports The Mirror.
Orlaith Maddams, a native of Killeenmore near Tullamore, died suddenly on Saturday at her home in Perth, where she had been living for several years with her husband Andrew and their two children.
A death notice shared by her family on RIP.ie on Sunday states: “It is with broken hearts and deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our dearest Orlaith at her home in Perth on Saturday 4th October 2025. Orlaith is deeply mourned and fondly remembered by her loving husband Andrew and her two darling boys Hugo John and Joff Montague, her brother Garvan, her sister-in-law Sumindra, nieces Simran and Saoirse, her nephew Camran, her parents John and Mona and in-laws Pamela and John, her extended family and a wide circle of friends,” reports The Mirror.
Orlaith’s unexpected passing has left her family in Ireland heartbroken, as loved ones paid tribute to the cherished mother-of-two.
In an emotional message shared online, Orlaith’s sister-in-law wrote: “My dear, sweet, sincere and loving Sister-in-law Orlaith, I look up in the night sky and see the heavens have gained another star. Shining brightly on us all, our North Star; you would light up a room with your presence, and gave us much inspiration and joy in your company. You made every moment count, brought us endless laughter with your witty jokes and serenaded us with your graceful mastery of the piano and your angelic voice. You would play ‘Ave Maria’ on the piano for us, and it echoes in my ears as I think you today, taken so soon from us all,” reports The Mirror.
“We miss you deeply today and will always miss you. But we keep a part of you in our hearts forevermore, and know that you are here in our family in everything we do. From the choices we make to the stories we’ll tell of our times together, to how we grow in our lives, you’ll be with us. Your nieces Simran & Saoirse and nephew Camran are proud to have known their Aunty Orlaith, and will miss you so very much. We all will. Your memory will never fade,” reports The Mirror.
Another of Orlaith’s family members said: “Our beautiful cousin Orlaith, a radiant soul, she moved with a quiet grace, an elegance that was both seen and felt in her kindness and in her laughter. Orlaith’s time here was far too short, cruel beyond words for you all to endure such a deep loss. I have no doubt the love she gave and the light she shared will echo in the lives of Hugo and Joff. To Andrew & your children, Aunty Mona, John and her dear brother Garvan, Sumindra her sister in law and all family and friends, we support you with our deepest sympathy. May the boys always feel their mother’s love surrounding them, in time, in the quiet moments, in their laughter, and in the lives they build carrying her legacy forward,” reports The Mirror.
Another relative said “the news of Orlaith’s passing has hit us so so hard today,” as they paid tribute to their “gorgeous glamorous cousin, with her beautiful smile and golden hair”. We will cherish our childhood memories together in Limerick, always playing with a hint of mischief, laughing and smiling everywhere she went,” the heartbroken family member added, reports The Mirror.
A former classmate of Orlaith’s wrote: “I am devastated to hear this news and send my deepest condolences. Orlaith was one in a million. I can hear the sound of her laugh now; so giddy and full of mischief. “She was a great friend to me in secondary school, and she was the reason I was often in tears of laughter because of her hilarious sense of humour. She was talented in so many areas, with a fierce intelligence, and had such a gift for bringing people out of their shell. It was a great comfort to me that we started university together, seeing a familiar, friendly face on campus. She shone so bright. Rest easy, friend. xxx”, reports The Mirror.
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