Community in mourning as local girl, Grainne ( 21) passes from CF
MOVING TRIBUTES WERE PAID TO CYSTIC FIBROSIS SLIGO ACTIVIST GRAINNE ‘ GG’ GOLDEN LAST WEEK
“There is a beauty beyond all sorrow in the story of such a life.” Fr John Carroll offered those moving words of comfort to hundreds of mourners gathered at the funeral mass of brave Grainne ‘ GG’ Golden last Friday.
The 21- year- old passed away from Cystic Fibrosis at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin on Wednesday February 24th.
Ballinode Community College classmates and members of the Defence Forces formed a guard of honour outside St Joseph’s Church, Ballytivnan as the cortége entered the church.
Grainne had wished for Fr Hugh McGonigle to say her funeral mass. Parish Priest Fr Noel Rooney, Fr Michael Gilroy and Fr John Carroll, Chaplain of Sligo University Hospital also con- celebrated.
“We are gathered here seeking to find peace in the midst of a searing loss. We feel waves of grief at her young life cut short so tragically,” said Fr McGonigle.
He paid tribute to all Grainne’s young friends who kept vigil at her bedside at her home over the past few days.
“You spent morning, noon and night there. You were fantastic. Don’t let those tears only be of loss. Let them be tears of enlightenment,” he told mourners.
In the homily, Fr Carroll recalled first meeting Gráinne and her Mum Terri in the children’s ward of Sligo University Hospital.
“Gráinne was as bright as a button. Cheerful, welcoming and where CF was concerned was already quite knowledgeable and out- spoken,” he said.
“Gráinne made friends with particular members of hospital staff in Crumlin, Sligo and St Vincent’s over the years and I feel very privileged to have been numbered among them,” he said.
Fr Carroll described the young woman and her mum Terri as “inseparable” and said her death was “a heavy blow” to the family and entire community.
The wider Cystic Fibrosis community was also present to support the Golden family. Among the offertory gifts were a photo of Gráinne laughing, a Sligo flag, a butterfly painting by Aine Carey, her diary, CDs, her favourite teddy bear and poignantly a ‘ Forever 21’ plaque.
The Sligo mini- marathon for Cystic Fibrosis Facebook page also paid tribute to Grainne.
Just a month ago Gráinne signed a change. org petition calling on the HSE to fund a life- changing Cystic Fibrosis drug Orkambi.
“I have cystic fibrosis. This drug will change my life.
“We all need this drug! To put a price on Life is so unfair! Shame on Irish Government! And shame on Leo Varadkar” she wrote.