FINAL JOURNEY OF FAMILY KILLED IN N25 CARNAGE
Scenes of grief at funeral of four in Cushinstown
FOUR bright, brilliant lives, those of glamorous couple Doug and Lily Alexander, and their talented sons Doug Jnr and Steven Alexander, were mourned at their Requiem Masses in Cushinstown yesterday (Monday), one week after the horrific accident on the N25.
Fighting back tears at St Mary’s Church, Lily’s nephew Ryan Prior said: ‘We have shed a lot of tears in the last week and will do so for a long time, but it will all be completely outweighed by the beautiful memories we have of this much loved, beautiful family.’
Mourners heard about the legacy of fun and caring the Alexander family members left behind.
LILY AND DOUGLAS ALEXANDER had their Chicago home decorated for Christmas, a special time of year they always looked forward to.
They made a poignant trip back to Ireland for Lily’s sister’s funeral, but traditions remain and keep families going even amid times of great loss and sorrow so the tree was up, decorated with baubles, lights and tinsel used down through the years.
An industrious, hard working Irish American family, the Alexanders travelled together on their flight to Ireland, with only their daughter Debbie remaining in Chicago.
Doug Alexander Jnr (52) left behind one child and his wife and Steven left behind his two daughters and partner to travel to be by their relations’ side for the funeral of Winifred Keevey (née Ryan) this day last week.
The family arrived into Dublin, drove to New Ross and checked into a local hotel before making the short joureny to St Mary’s Church in Cushinstown to Winnie Keevey’s removal to be reunited with family and reminisce on happier days.
A few kilometres into their journey the unthinkable happened.
Steven (49), an award winning, community minded police officer. Doug Jnr, a talented musician and their loving parents, both aged 75: Doug, a retired building contractor from Sion Mills, Tyrone, and Lily, a devoted mother and grandmother, were killed instantly in a crash involving an articulated lorry on a busy stretch of the N25. The Alexanders, who lived in the Chicago suburb of Oak Lawn, are survived by their daughter, Debbie, Ms Alexander’s brother, Matt Ryan Snr in Ireland and her sister, Rita in the US, and Mr Alexander’s brother, Sandy and sister, Daisy who both live in Ireland, grandchildren, relatives and many friends.
A day after the crash, Doug Alexander Junior’s partner Susan Schulze paid tribute to him in a Facebook post: ‘I can never express the happiness Steve gave me. He showed me true love. I am so blessed to be a part of his life.’
With every few hours further details emerged about the lives of the Alexander family, adding to the anguish and poignancy of their loss.
Lily, from Limerick, was remembered by neighbours as someone who always went out of her way for her friends.
‘When we had losses in our family she was the first one at our door with coffee and doughnuts and prayers and anything she could do to help us,’ said family friend Jennifer Smith.
Ms Smith had known the family since she was a child. ‘It was just so heartbreaking, they’re the most amazing people,’ she said.
Steven, who worked in a south western suburb of Chicago called Bolingbrook, was a great community man.
A 17-year veteran with the Bolingbrook Police Department, Steven’s sister Debbie Ceglarek said he loved being involved with his community, volunteering for several organisations. He leaves behind two daughters, ages 11 and 10, who he adored.
His colleague and friend Lieutenant Anthony Columbus described him as an ‘unbelievable officer’.
Doug Jnr was a talented guitarist who played in a band called Network for the past 20 years. Kent Kaled was one of his bandmates and a close friend of the family’s. ‘I don’t know how they’re going to be able to cope with this, it’s just too much for all of us,’ Kaled said.
Doug left the band briefly when he re-located back to Ireland where he met his wife Marian and immediately re-joined upon his return to Illinois.
Tina Mulroony, Doug Jnr’s wife Marian (40), said: ‘It’s unbelievable, I just can’t believe it. I just can’t bear to see him in a coffin. I just have to think of our girls. I’m crushed.’
Doug’s nephew Billy Cochrane, who lives in Donegal, said that his cousin Debbie, the only surviving member of the Alexander family, is devastated by this most unthinkable of losses. ‘ The family were just the best of people,’ he said. ‘ They were very close, very family-orientated people. They were all very friendly, very nice people. I was called after my uncle Dougie. We are totally devastated. We just can’t accept it at the minute. It just doesn’t seem real. You can lose a family member, you will grieve, but when four are lost, it’s different.’
The family released the following statement on Sunday: ‘It is with great sorrow that our family and friends unite – across the Atlantic Ocean – to mourn the passing of Lily, Doug, Steven and Doug Jnr Alexander. They were generous, loving and fun. As well as their love for the family in America, they opened their hearts and homes to all who travelled from here in Ireland to visit with them. They greatly enjoyed their regular trips to Ireland, They will be greatly missed but we are left with wonderful memories of great times spent together both here and in Oak Lawn, USA.
‘Our whole family appreciates all of the kind words and support which we have received.
‘Our family deeply appreciates the work of all first responders and the ongoing assistance of civil and community services. Our deep gratitude goes to the local parish and church community. We thank you all.’
IT ALL JUST DOESN’T SEEM REAL. YOU CAN GRIEVE, BUT WHEN FOUR ARE LOST, IT’S DIFFERENT – DOUG’S NEPHEW