Funeral of Valerie French-Kilroy under way in her native West Cork

THE funeral of Valerie French-Kilroy is taking place this afternoon (Thursday) in the Cathedral Church of St Fachtna, Rosscarbery.

The chief mourners are Valerie’s mother, Mrs Valerie French; Valerie’s brother David; her sisters Suzette, Hilary and Veronica, and their families, together with a wide family circle from Cork and further afield. Valerie’s colleagues from the HSE in Mayo have travelled to Cork also to join a very large congregation of her friends, parishioners and the wider community.

The funeral Service is being led by the local Church of Ireland rector and Dean of Ross, the Very Reverend Christopher Peters, together with the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, the Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton. Dean Peters is preaching the sermon, and particular prayers were said for Valerie’s three young children.

The Bible readings include the words of Jesus Christ: ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid’ (Gospel of Saint John, Chapter 14, verse 27) and also words of Saint Paul: ‘Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ …’ (Letter to the Romans, Chapter 5, verse 1).

A note on the Order of Service encourages people to send memories of and stories about Valerie c/o Dean Christopher Peters, Rosscarbery, so that, at an appropriate time in the future, these may be shared with her children.

During the Service, Valerie’s brother David will speak about her. Dean Peters, who officiated at Valerie’s wedding in the Cathedral in 2008, said that he remembers Valerie’s ready smile and laugh.

He said: ‘She was someone at ease in and with herself, happy to be a bit different and to do things differently … It is the precious memories of her life which must always define our memories of Valerie and her marriage to James and not the tragic and awful event of this last week.’

Valerie will be laid to rest in a family grave in the adjoining churchyard.