Bridget fought to the end with a cheeky smile on her face
THERE WAS great sadness at the passing of 23-year-old Bridget Quirke on September 21.
Although Bridget had a short life, it was one that was lived to the full. Diagnosed at a young age with a terminal illness, she was a regular patient in St Gabriel’s Ward in Wexford General Hospital where the doctors, nurses and staff would have many fond memories of her. St Gabriel’s was her second home but she also spent time in Crumlin, St Luke’s and Beaumont hospitals over the years.
But, in between hospital stays, Bridget attended Danescastle Primary School and later went to Bridgetown Vocational College where she was loved by all for her cheerful smile. It was when she was in Bridgetown that she went to do work experience in Seabreeze Laundrette in Carrig-on-Bannow and became great friends with the owner, Mags Butler.
Bridget was a very sociable person who was happiest when heading off on the bus to town with her mother Olive. One was never seen without the other, searching for a bargain! She loved heading to the bingo with her mother and father and the highlight of her week was when her dad booked taxi man Aidan Sinnott on a Thursday evening to bring them down to the music session in Tir na nÓg.
After secondary school, Bridget attended Lochran House in Wexford town where she loved to cook and bake, and let everyone try out the finished creations. She loved going on day trips and she also attended Grantstown Day Centre.
Bridget was a woman of great faith and if she knew someone was off to Lourdes or Knock, holy water and a gift was ordered!
She loved organising little get-togethers and surprises for the family. You could always be sure that a birthday or a Mother’s Day request would ring out on the radio on a Sunday morning.
On special occasions, she would ring her Granny Bridget, who she adored, to join her for lunch in The Red Door in Carrig-on-Bannow.
At Easter 2017 Bridget was greatly looking forward to heading to her special place of Lourdes but it was not to be as her health deteriorated and she was admitted to hospital. It was decided that Bridget could no longer be cared for at home and it was then that she went to stay in Cherrygrove Nursing Home where her dad Johnny was also a resident at the time. Sadly, her dad passed away in November 207 but she battled on without him by her side.
Her mother Olive was always there for her, as were her brother John and sister Mary Ellen, and the love they showed her was out of this world. Bridget received excellent care from Tom, Siobhan and all the staff in Cherrygrove.
Bridget fought her illness right to the end and never gave up, never complaining or saying ‘why me?’. She just got on with it, always with that big, cheeky smile.
But, in the end, she lost her final battle and passed away peacefully, surrounded by family.
Bridget’s funeral mass took place in Carrig-on-Bannow with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.
Ar dhéis Dé go raibh a h-ainm dhílís. May she rest in the arms of Jesus.