A celebration of Vicky Phelan’s life yesterday heard she was the “nation’s treasure” and the women of Ireland owe her an enormous debt of gratitude.
Hundreds gathered in and around the Church of the Assumption in Mooncoin, Co Kilkenny, to celebrate the life of the CervicalCheck campaigner who died this month. Her sister Lyndsey Kelly praised Vicky’s enormous courage and said her legacy was showing people “not to be afraid of anyone” by following her example.
In an emotional tribute to his older sister, Jonnie Kelly said had Vicky lived she could have done anything and might even have become president. Shuttle buses and big screens were laid on to take the public to the service.
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Gardai also put in place a traffic management plan to cope with the numbers wishing to attend. Fearless Vicky, who was given false all-clear test results, lifted the lid on the CervicalCheck scandal in 2018 and refused to sign a non-disclosure agreement as part of an out-of-court settlement over misread smear tests.
She died at Milford Hospice in Limerick last Monday week at the age of 48, after being diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2014. Last week Vicky’s family extended an open invitation to the public to say their goodbyes at the Church of the Assumption in Mooncoin and they came in their droves yesterday.
Thanking the public for their cards and messages, Vicky’s sister Lyndsey said receiving such support makes her passing “that little bit easier”. She added: “Today was about celebrating what she loved.
“Her first love was her family, and music her second love. That’s what she wanted. So it’s very important that’s the way it went today for her.”
Lyndsey said her sister was the “nation’s treasure” who captivated everyone she came in contact with. She added: “Vicky is one of a kind, resilient and bursting with courage.
“She is honest and stubborn and I never won an argument with her in all these years. She told the truth whether you liked it or not and she didn’t believe in lies. These strong morals and her determination became her weapon in her battle for her life over the years.
“Vicky was always on a mission fighting for what she believed in and helping anyone she possibly could. She always gave her time, even on her sickest days. She was always looking for answers and she was not afraid of anyone.”
Jonnie Kelly said he was in awe of his sister’s intelligence and poise and when she spoke people would “just hung on her every word”.
He added: “Even though Vicky’s time was running out she still gave her time to other people.” He said if she had been given more time in life “the sky was the limit”.
Jonnie added: “People say Vicky was the best president we ever had. I believe Vicky could have been so much more than that.”
Cervical cancer survivor and founding member of the 221+ group Lorraine Walsh told the church Vicky was “open and honest that didn’t entertain fools”. She said: “You were such a real and honest person.
“It resonated with so many people that even from afar, people fell in love with you. It was my privilege and honour to share that work with you. A sincere and heartfelt thank you from mna na hEireann.
“As another woman let down by the State, I want to say that without your strength, your determination, your stubbornness, not alone would we not have known the truth of what happened but we would still be subject to a very flawed CervicalCheck programme.”
Speaking on behalf of Vicky’s husband and family, her friend John Wall thanked those gathered for sharing their time with them. He said: “Vicky had wanted an upbeat occasion where people could gather in a celebration of life.
“I can’t begin to tell you how much this all means to the three of us. We’re incredibly proud of Vicky, all that she achieved and the amazing person that she was.
“Through the toughest of times she shared incredible strength looking after us, looking out for us and ensuring we always did our best as a family.”
Vicky’s family, who spoke of her love of music and song, listened as Bressie and The Stunning performed during the celebration. Blizzards frontman Bressie performed his song “Postcards”, which he said Vicky asked him to sing “when the time came”.
Following prayers and readings, The Stunning – Vicky’s favourite band – performed their song An Empty Feeling.
Fr Martin Tobin told mourners that “We pray that God will give you comfort in this time of loss.
“We pray especially that God’s loving presence will be with you Jim, [Vicky’s husband] Amelia, Daragh, her parents Gaby and John, her sister Lyndsey, her brothers Robbie, Lee and Jonnie”.
At the end of the ceremony the congregation rose together in the church as the Mount Sion Choir performed Stand By Me.
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