‘The brightest flower of them all’ – emotional scenes as funeral held for Kerry’s Lillie Gaynor (19)

A Kilmoyley jersey, a football, a microphone, a box of Lyon’s tea, a hoover and a family photo were just some of the items brought to the altar at The Sacred Heart Church in Kilmoyley on Wednesday afternoon as a massive crowd gathered to bid a final farewell to the late Lillie Gaynor.

A keen sportswoman and student at Mary Immaculate College from Lerrig, Kilmoyley, the 19-year-old passed away suddenly at her home on Friday, April 11. She had just begun her teaching practice placement in Listellick NS on Monday last.

Lillie leaves behind her heartbroken parents Eamonn and Martina, her younger sisters Aisling, Molly and Grace, her boyfriend of three years Conor as well as extended family and a wide circle of friends both here in Kerry and in Limerick.

The funeral mass took place in the same church where, at just three months old, Lillie was baptised in April of 2006. It was also where, in a heart breaking poignant reminder of just how young she was, the church where she made her Confirmation just seven short years ago.

Fr Pat Crean Lynch presided over the funeral mass and in his comments, he remarked that there was no easy way to wrap your head around the tragedy of the last few days.

"It’s very, very hard at to make sense of it. It’s impossible. It’s just unthinkable what you [Lillie’s family] are going through. Our hearts go out to you. We are all reeling from it, we are all devastated. There’s just a gloom over our parish and over all of North Kerry and beyond. People just can’t take it in at all and if it's hard for us to take it all in, we just cannot imagine what it’s like for you, the family,” he said.

In a funeral mass that contained as much tears as it did laughter – the attendees were regaled with tales of Lillie’s time in college, her fierce wit and banter as well as her determination to get her boyfriend – one of the most beautiful moments in the ceremony came when Lillie’s cousin Ciara – through tears – recited a poem titled ‘The Brightest Flower of Them All’ that she had composed in Lillie’s memory.

Most heart-breaking of all though were the few words spoken through tears by Lillie’s dad Eamonn who said that he and Martina were “privileged” to have Lillie as their daughter for the past 19 years.

“Her life was short, but she packed a lot in. She was never afraid of hard work, she had a drive and an energy and could could turn her hand to anything. From babysitting, starting with her sisters, to farming, delivering calves, to hospitality at O’Neill’s B&B and retail at CH Chemist.

"As the oldest, she was like a second mother to the younger ones, minding them, putting them in their place when necessary and looking to help out in any way she could. She was saving her school notes for Aisling to give her a step ahead in her Leaving Cert. She was Molly’s personal personal makeup and fashion consultant, giving her tips and advice, whether she wanted it or not,” he said.

"Lillie had a big personality, she had strong opinions and she was always right, whether she was or not. She loved to engage in banter and hop ball and could give as good as she got. Some people might say that she was bossy...which probably accounts for why she wanted to be a teacher. She could tell 30 people at a time exactly what to do, exactly how she wanted them to do it and they would have no choice,” he continued.

"She had great ambition. She knew what she wanted and she knew how to get it. She knew she wanted Conor...and she got him. She knew she wanted to go to Mary I. They told her she’d never get the points, she said ‘watch me’ and she did. They told her she’d never pass her driving test first go, she said ‘watch me’ and she did it first go.”

His voice now close to breaking, Eamonn thanked all those who had supported him and his family in these, their most darkest of days.

"We lost Lillie on Friday. She was a vibrant member of our family. In the days since though, the whole community of Kilmoyley and North Kerry and further afield have become our family. They showed up with their help and support through this rough time. I want to thank everybody for their support,” he concluded.

Following the funeral mass, Lillie was buried in the cemetery adjoining the church.

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