Denise’swishwasthateveryone wouldriseabovetheirsorrow
MORE than most, she had to contend with way above the ordinary in terms of sadness and tragedy in her short life, which made the death at just 43 of such a bubbly, glamorous lady as Denise Casey very hard to countenance for her family.
But Denise would be the last person who would want to see those closest to her downhearted and overburdened, and it was her wish that, however difficult, they would rise above their sorrow.
She was the inspiration, and provided the backbone, to keep up the spirits of the family when she suffered the un-imaginable loss of two of her children, Jenna and Jayden at the tender ages of four and two respectively.
They died as a result of a tragic motor accident in 2009, which was profoundly life-changing, and altered Denise’s whole outlook, and she lived every day to the full.
A lesser-willed person would not have come through the ordeal. Yet she was the one who held together the family, always looking out for everybody else. Even when faced with her own fatal ordeal her concern was for her nearest and dearest.
She gained a new lease of happiness after those dark days, weeks and months, with the birth of her daughter Jade in 2010. The following year she and her partner John married after being together for over 20 years.
The arrival of Jade gave Denise a new focus and she stayed at home to dedicate herself to her daughter’s care and welfare. But she still remained active, and was always with family, with whom she loved to be surrounded.
She travelled a lot and loved holidays and had booked to go to Las Vegas last month. Indeed, she had plans for the whole year.
Cruelly, a return of a very rapid form of cancer put paid to those plans and on 18 February last at her residence at Castleross, she peacefully went to her maker.
She had contracted the disease in 2016 and made a recovery after undergoing treatment. However, it returned with a vengeance in the new year.
Denise was the second last of five children born to Raymond and Barbara Murden, who had one other daughter, Vera, and three sons, Desmond, Michael and Seán.
She grew up in Ashling Park. Her future husband John lived close-by and they knew each other all their lives.
She received her primary and secondary education locally, attending Fatima School, and then Saint Louis College. She then went to Newry College to train and qualify as a hairdresser. She served her apprenticeship with Cilla’s Hairdressers, Castletown Road.
She and John became partners and made their home in Castleross, where Denise’s keen eye for design is evident as she constantly made improvements and carried out refurbishments.
This talent also shone through in her stylish and glamorous appearance over which she was meticulous.
Denise also worked as a manager of a delicatessen for ten years, and in her spare time liked to play bingo.
Along with her daughter, Jenna; and son, Jayden; she was predeceased by her father, Raymond and grandparents, Jack and Liz.
The sorrow and loss caused at her passing was widespread, and most acutely felt by her husband, John; son, John and daughter, Jade; along with her mother, Barbara; brothers, Seán, Michael and Desmond; sister Vera; sisters-in-law, Tara, Anita, Carol, Donna and Ashling; brother in-law, Gregory; mother and father in-law, Catriona and Johnny; uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family relatives, wonderful neighbours and friends.
After reposing at her residence on the Monday and Tuesday, Denise was taken on the Wednesday to Saint Joseph’s Church, Castletown. Funeral Mass was celebrated by Father Paddy Rushe, assisted by Father Vinod.
Father Rushe had officiated at Denise’s and John wedding, and he gave a moving eulogy.
Personal gifts symbolising Denise’s life were laid before the altar by son, John; daughter, Jade; nephews, Conor and Seanie; and niece, Mia. These included her hair spray and comb, a pair of high heels, family photograph and a bottle of prosecco, her favourite drink.
The Readings were given by cousin, Pamela and niece, Chloe; while the Prayers of the Faithful were led by niece, Vanessa; cousin, Barbara; godchild, Louise and Nicole and Natalie.
The Offertory gifts were presented at the altar by cousins, Christina and Michelle.
Reflections by her family and friends were read by Natalie and Father Rushe,
The music was provided by Olivia Finnegan and Róisín Crawley.
Burial took place in the adjoining cemetery.