DENISE ‘STOLEN’ FROM HER FAMILY
Mum’s funeral is told death due to ‘domestic violence scourge’
Denise will be remembered as a lovely, bubbly polite woman who always had time to greet another person
MURDERED mum Denise Morgan was “stolen” from her family in a “brutal” way, her funeral Mass heard yesterday.
The 39-year-old died at the hands of her boyfriend in a horrific murdersuicide in Queens, New York on October 21.
Friends later told how Denise was planning to end her troubled relationship with Joed Taveras, 33, and was desperate to leave him.
She was laid to rest in her home town of Tullyallen near Drogheda, Co Louth after a poignant ceremony at the Church of the Assumption.
Fr Sean Dooley told mourners, among them Denise’s heartbroken young daughter Molly, that her tragic death shone a spotlight on domestic violence.
He said: “Denise was stolen from us, her life was suddenly cut off in a brutal way and sadly there will be no justice for her in this world. The foundation of our faith has been violently shaken, but some of the deep roots remain intact. Our community is traumatised.
“We ponder how this could have happened to such a beautiful young woman.
“Hopefully her tragic death will help us as a community to develop an understanding of domestic violence.
“And call out inappropriate behaviour and the cultural attitudes that underpin our domestic violence scourge.”
Symbols of Denise’s life were brought to the altar by her little girl, who she affectionately called Molly Wee, and nine other family members. They included a picture Molly drew, her vape, her red lipstick, a top “that she tried to steal off her sister”, and crystals “she kept round her and looked to for comfort”. Fr Dooley told how Denise was baptised in the church on January 22, 1984 and how she had worked in hospitality locally, even serving Christmas dinner to the homeless. He added: “Denise will be remembered as a lovely, bubbly polite woman who always had time to greet another person.
“She has been the most beautiful mother, person, daughter, niece and friend.
“Her many Facebook posts and pictures tell of a woman oozing with a love that attracted others.
“Denise was born to be a mum, I’m told Molly was the centre of her life. Even her last post was of Molly and herself, everything was for Molly.”
Mandy Morgan spoke on behalf of the family and extended their gratitude for helping to “bring our beautiful Denise home”.
She told how Denise first lived in Sunnyside when she moved to New York and neighbours said she brought the sun to the neighbourhood.
She said: “A unique and beautiful soul that has touched so many people’s souls. Her life revolved around her Molly Wee.”