Farewell beautiful baby Alice
THE PARENTS of Mallow baby Alice Spang have paid heartfelt tributes to their 10-month-old daughter, who passed away in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, last Thursday.
Alice – who had bravely fought against a genetic heart defect, dilated cardiomyopathy, throughout her short lifetime – was laid to rest in Ballyduff, County Kerry, on Monday.
She had undergone several very serious medical procedures and had been treated in Dublin, Cork University Hospital, and Germany since falling ill shortly after her birth.
Her father, Jan, a medical scientist at Mallow General Hospital, said there would never be enough words to describe what his daughter meant to him.
“I’ll never forget the day she was born,” he said. “Like most new fathers, I was excited by her birth, but very worried, and wondered if I was ready to be a father. But from the moment I held her in my arms early in the morning on January 4, I knew I’d do anything for her.”
Her mother, Majella, said the world had become a little less beautiful with Alice’s passing.
“My beautiful Alice had a genetic heart defect,” she said.
“One of the mutated genes is called GPN1. In plants, this mutation creates a very beautiful flower which has a very short life.
“Alice, we will miss you every single day... Thank you for making our lives better, and thank you for making us better people. You did so well, bunny. Rest now, because Grandpa Seán will take care of you, and you will have lots of fun.”
HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to Mallow girl Alice Spang, who in recent days lost her brave battle against a debilitating genetic heart defect.
Ten-month-old Alice was laid to rest on Monday after a poignant Funeral Mass in St Peter and St Paul Church in Ballyduff, County Kerry. Alice passed away in the early hours of last Thursday morning in Crumlin in the arms of her parents – Majella, and Jan, a medical scientist in Mallow General Hospital – following a courageous fight against dilated cardiomyopathy.
The little girl had an enlarged heart and weak heart muscle, and had been treated in Cork University Hospital; Our Lady’ss Childrens Hospital, Crumlin; and in Frankfurt and Giessen, Germany, since first falling ill shortly after her birth.
Alice had undergone a number of very serious medical procedures since first becoming ill, but despite showing tremendous fight, her parents were told earlier this month that their girl wouldn’t have long to live if she did not receive a heart transplant.
Her mother, Majella, told The Corkman that Alice had bloods taken for tissue typing just two days before her death.
She had also recovered from pneumonia in the days before she passed away, but was very weak and ‘ lost her sparkle’ the evening before she died, Majella said.
“All her medicines stopped working, and they knew then her heart wasn’t able to circulate the blood around efficiently,” she said. “She couldn’t breathe well, and from 4.30pm until she died at 6.22am, she was breathing 88 times a minute; she should be around 30 breaths a minute.
“Her heart was beating extremely fast as well, so she couldn’t sleep. They were able to administer medicines through her nosenose, and she got some relief, some sleep, and took her last breaths laying between us in the bed at dawn.
“Her second name was Aurora, that’s the Roman Goddess of the Dawn – and my princess died at dawn.”
At Monday’s Funeral, both of Alice’s parents spoke to the congregation.
Jan said there would never be enough words to describe what his daughter meant to him.
“I’ll never forget the day she was born,” he said. “Like most new fathers, I was excited by her birth, but very worried, and wondered if I was ready to be a father. But from the moment I held her in my arms early in the morning on January 4, I knew I’d do anything for her.
“She had a fan club – a very large fan club. From that first day in intensive care, we saw how much Alice was loved and cared for...Being a medical scientist, I take great comfort in numbers, graphs, patterns, results, concentrations, to make sure everything was all right with Alice. One of the wonderful nurses in intensive care noticed this, and she told me: ‘Don’t look at all the equipment; look at Alice’...She pointed to Alice: ‘Look at her. You don’t need all this.’
“This was just one of the many, many ways that Alice has taught me what is important in life: people, family, love.
“She would draw people around her and fill the room with her love – and this we’ll never forget.”
Majella said the world had become a little less beautiful with the passing of her daughter.
“My beautiful Alice had a genetic heart defect. One of the mutated genes is called GPN1,” she said. “In plants, this mutation creates a very beautiful flower which has a very short life.
“Alice, we will miss you every single day...Thank you for making our lives better, and thank you for making us better people.
“You will live on in us and in the memory of everybody whose lives you touched during your short life on this earth.
“You did so well, bunny. Rest now, because Grandpa Seán will take care of you, and you will have lots of fun.”
Majella also paid heartfelt tribute to the long list of medical professionals who cared for Alice during her short lifetime.
“Thank you for surrounding Alice with love, compassion, and care.” she said.
“It gave us so much comfort... we could sleep and rest and be the best parents we could be to Alice.”
Baby Alice Aurora Spang was predeceased by her grandfather, Seán P O’Sullivan. She is deeply missed by her parents; grandfather, Bennie; grandmothers, Bridie and Annelies; aunt, Imelda; uncles, Padraig, Oliver, Martijn, and Niek; cousins; extended family; neighbours; and friends.
Her parents have also repeated their call to The Corkman readers to register as organ donors.
One can register for a donor card by phoning 1890 543 639; texting the word ‘Donor’ to 50050, or visiting ika.ie/get-adonor-card/. It is also necessary to inform your next of kin of your wish to be an organ donor.