‘Joy and Norm just radiated happiness wherever they went’
‘Two amazing loved ones’ ‘She was just a real nice girl’
THE devastated daughter of Rosalyn Joy Few, who was killed in a pony and cart accident in Co. Kerry with her partner on Monday, has paid tribute to her late mother.
Tonya Tier said Ms Few and partner Normand Larose ‘radiated happiness’ and had ‘touched many people’s lives’.
Ms Few, 64 – known to her family and friends as Joy – and Mr Larose, 62, from Phoenix, Arizona, were killed when their pony was startled and lost its footing while they were descending the Gap of Dunloe in Co. Kerry.
The animal then plunged over the side of a ravine while carrying the cart with the couple still inside.
Ms Tier, who was on holiday with the couple – and her husband Bill and their children – told the Mail in a statement last night that the family is currently focusing on getting the bodies home.
The statement was prepared by family friend, Laura Davey, with Tonya’s help. It said: ‘We are deeply saddened by the loss of two amazing loved ones.
‘At the moment, we are focusing on getting the bodies home, as well as getting the kids home.
‘Joy and Norm, they touched many people’s lives. They radiated happiness everywhere they went.
‘They loved their family and their friends deeply and unconditionally and they both loved life, and lived life to the fullest.
‘We did want to express our thanks and gratitude to the community of Killarney for the support that has been given to the family.’ Ms Davey, who has been a family friend for 15 years, described Ms Tier as ‘devastated’ at the tragic deaths.
She said Ms Few had been ‘active in church’ and that ‘Norm and Joy enjoyed outings on the Harley [motorcycle]’.
‘One thing Joy did love was her family: her daughter and her grandson and granddaughter. Joy loved everything. She found the good in everyone.’
Ms Davey said Ms Tier and her husband Bill will return to their home in Washington state on Sunday with the couple’s bodies.
The family are in the process of organising a joint funeral and celebration of life for the couple, which will take place sometime in May in Phoenix.
Meanwhile, Ms Few’s ex-husband Robert Few told the Mail that she ‘was a wonderful person’.
Speaking from his home in North Carolina, Mr Few said they were together for 23 years, splitting in 2000. Paying tribute to his ex, Mr Few, 58, said: ‘She was born in Detroit and lived in Boise, Idaho, for a long time. We were together for 23 years.
‘She was just a real nice girl, she was always happy, always smiling, vivacious, bubbly. She liked animals, dogs and cats. She used to go to church regularly.
‘She was full of life. She was a good person,’ he said, adding that his ex-wife had worked as ‘an office manager at the Mayo Clinic, I think for about 15 years, maybe longer’.
Speaking about his shock at the tragic double death, Mr Few said: ‘I do not know how to describe what’s happened, it’s so strange and so sad.’
He said his ex-wife had one brother called Chad Weis and three step brothers called Mike, Bob and Tim Weis, who all live in California.