Robbie Keane's tough year has ended on a heartbreaking note after the Ireland star revealed his grandmother has died.
Bernadette Keane, who was known as Ettie, passed away at Glenaulin Nursing Home in Chapelizod. Ettie was the mother of Robbie's dad, also called Robbie, who died at the age of just 50 in 2003.
It's the second family bereavement the Republic of Ireland's record cap holder and goal scorer has faced in recent months after his beloved mum Anne died in October. Robbie shared news of Ettie's death on Instagram yesterday, posting a pic of his adored granny, simply titled, "RIP Nanny Keane" followed by a broken heart emoji.
Read more: Robbie Keane's 'heavy heart' as mum Anne dies with funeral details announced
Ettie's funeral will take place at 11:30am at St Agnes's Church in Crumlin on Saturday, December 31. Her death notice reads: "Predeceased by her loving husband Con, son Robbie, son-in-law Brian, daughter-in-law Anne and her loving brother and sisters.
"Devoted mother of Vivan, Cathy, Cornel and Shane and loving grandmother and great-grandmother. Bernadette will be forever loved and missed by her loving children, son-in-law Noel, daughters-in-law Joanne and Moira, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers, sisters, extended family, neighbours and friends."
Anne's funeral took place in the same church in October. An emotional Robbie paid tribute to her at the service, saying she did "everything for her children".
He said: "There are so many words to describe my mother, kind, caring, loving, generous, selfless, strong and resilient. But the words that sum her up the most is that she is family orientated. She lived and loved her family.
"Family was everything to her. As a child growing up, we knew with no uncertainty how much we were loved.
"And although we worked for everything we got, my mother was always determined for us to have the best life possible. She held two jobs, worked so hard and everything that she did was for her children."
The former Tottenham and Liverpool striker remembered his parents on Christmas day by placing a beautiful picture of them on the table while he enjoyed dinner with wife Claudine and sons Hudson and Robert. He shared images of the snap on Instagram, writing: "Merry Christmas from my family to yours. Thinking of all the love ones that are not with us."
Read next:
- Claudine Keane says she is relieved to be back in Ireland after US school shooting fears
- Robbie Keane and wife Claudine stun at Royal Ascot
- Watch: Michael Carrick gets crowd going in Dublin pub sing-song
- WATCH Massive Robbie Keane fan completely falls for brilliant April Fool's prank
- Robbie Keane makes promise to victim of hilarious April Fool's prank in new video message
Sign up for the Dublin Live newsletter to get the latest headlines straight to your inbox
