Irene O’Connor
"You will always be my lovely lady" - Don O'Connor
Irene O'Connor died on January 26th 2005 following a four year battle with breast cancer and its consequences. Irene was 54 years old, and part of a strong and loving family. Her family wrote that, for Irene, "Happiness was time spent with her family, whether at home in her beloved garden, in the pub, or on holiday. She was never more content than when surrounded by all the people she loved." Irene was dignified and beautiful, and when she was feeling low or tired, she would look to husband Don for comfort and he would always respond with reassurance and encouragement by saying "you will always be my lovely lady".
Irene worked for Knowsley Council Social Services Department, as part of the Child Care Admin Team, and this was important to her, "it was a place where she found fulfillment and friendship, and where she was treasured and enjoyed by all of her colleagues."
This is how her family, friends & colleagues spoke of Irene:
"Irene was a lady, a true lady who was never unkind, selfish or insensitive, she wasn't boastful or vexatious, but gentle and generous. She disliked conflict and would do everything within her power to soothe trouble and bring about harmony."
This is how her daughters Julie & Debbie spoke about their Mum's remarkable life:
"An empty space is left and no one can fill it, that's our Mum's space - and it will stay in our hearts forever. She was not only the best Mum we could have asked for but also our "Best Friend". We try to remember, when we feel sadness at this life cut short, that hers was a good life, it was filled with love and laughter and happiness, and so many special memories to keep with us forever."
In her final hours Irene was surrounded by the love and friendship that she had nurtured her whole life, as she left us she was being held and soothed by her husband, daughters, her sister, brother. She wasn't lonely or afraid, she was loved and treasured, she felt no pain only love, and in her final moments she used the last of her strength to make a silent gesture of love to Don who was her best friend, her husband and the one and only love of her life.
Don and the family have set up this Tribute Fund in her memory for friends, colleagues and others, as well as the family, to show their appreciation of this very special person.
All donations given in Irene’s memory will be used to help fund the research into cancer taking place in the J.K.Douglas Laboratories.
To donate to research at CCRT please print off and return the donation form marking it “Irene O’Connor Tribute Fund” to the Appeals Office.
Total to date raised in Irene’s memory: £2915.00.
if you want to add to it, please send your donation in using our donation form, or simply write to the Appeals Office, Clatterbridge Cancer Research Trust, Bebington, Wirral, CH63 4JY, marking the letter, "Irene O'Connor Tribute Fund".
