The funeral of a mother-of-two who died after the car she was in plunged into a Cork river with her two young sons in the back has heard how she was an “exceptionally loyal and true friend” with a heart of gold.
Primary school teacher Gillian Daly, 44, died when she was unable to escape after her car reversed into the River Lee at Kennedy Quay in Cork at around 8.45pm last Friday night.
Her sons Evan and Luke, aged ten and 12, were passengers in the car but managed to free themselves before it sank and bystanders pulled the boys to safety.
Fr Jack Fitzgerald told mourners, including Gillian’s heartbroken husband John O’Connell, sons Evan and Luke, parents John Joe and Helen, sister Caroline, brothers Jason and John and extended family and friends at her funeral in St. Patrick's Church, Millstreet that her death “at a young age makes us realise how fragile life is.”
“Gillian was an exceptionally loyal and true friend and will be forever remembered that way,” said Fr Fitzgerald.
He praised the “ remarkable and courageous escape” of Evan and Luke from the vehicle that night.
Among the gifts brought to the altar to represent Gillian’s life included a photograph of her son Evan and Luke whom she adored; a travel book to represent Gillian’s love of travel and adventure; a poetry book to represent her love of arts and literature blusher to represent Gillian’s love of socialising; children’s artwork to representing her love for her students and picture symbolising friendship.
In an emotional and moving eulogy, Gillian’s brother Jason told mourners she had “a heart of gold who lived for her sons and was always caring and worrying about them.”
He said Gillian “simply came alive on the dancefloor” and as soon as the music started she was “making her own moves on the dancefloor.”
He said Gillian was devoted to her students and her pupils adored her which, he said, was evident by the sentiments that have been expressed over the last few days.
“It is breaking our hearts that we will never be able to hold, hug or spend cherished time together ever again,” said Jason.
Following the funeral Mass, Gillian was laid to rest in St Eltin’s Cemetery in Kinsale.
