Mary left us on the eve of the new year. A specially sad time to part with a loved one. She was an exceptional girl, brave, determined, courageous witty and only in this world twenty-four years.

Mary lived with an illness for six of those years. It caused her physical discomfort especially as it progressed. Mary never complained, she was a happy determined young lady with lots of ideas and plans for her life. It would be so easy to write sadly of Mary's life and passing, but Mary would be so annoyed if that were the case.

She was full of goodness and had the great ability to organise people and bring them together. She was a communicator, a girl who knew no barriers when she wanted things done. The glass that was life for her was always full and brimming over. There were no doubts in her life, only the positive and doable was ever entertained.

She had a great deep belief in things spiritual, Mary, God's mother was her friend in Heaven. Mary never lost faith in God and his infinite goodness. While we cannot understand why she was called so early, we have learned much from her about coping with life's troubles and sadness.

It is difficult to understand how Mary never lost hope of getting better, even when she was weak and feeling unwell. She always looked forward to becoming well quickly and bringing her many plans to fruition.
Mary was a beautiful looking young girl with lots of ability and the will to use it. There was so much to do, so many places to go to, and Mary went to many of them.

She wanted to drive a car, when Mary was told to wait until she became stronger that is exactly what she was going to do and then begin driving.
Phil took Mary everywhere, six years of her life unselfishly devoted to her daughter. Mary was blessed with huge determination she strived for independence of mobility.
The fierce spirit and zest for life that was part of Mary's makeup governed her thoughts and actions. Determination to do what she wanted to was one of her characteristics.
It was what enabled her to cope physically and mentally through a difficult illness, and because she could, it made life for her family and friends who cared so much for her wellbeing, a little easier.

Mary was very proficient with computers, she was awarded the ECDL. She spent some time living in Cork city while doing this course.
Mary worked on the FÁS Community Employment Scheme in the Social Centre in Conna. She worked in the office typing and designing posters and menu's etc. The leaflet for the Mass celebrated by Fr.Goold in September at the Social Centre was designed by her.
She really liked the work and of course the social aspect of meeting people. She had many friends amongst the people living in the houses and she loved playing cards with them on Thursday nights.

During the years of Mary's illness she sought spiritual guidance from various sources. She was blessed in many ways with people who were so good to her and were able to offer what she sought, thank God for those who comforted Mary spiritually. She was so happy to have had them there for her.

Before Christmas Mary became weak and there was concern for her as the holidays approached. She never wanted to go to hospital, Mary always hoped and believed that a miracle would occur and she would be physically well again.
While the miracle that we as humans hoped and prayed for did not happen as we would have wished, another one did. Mary went home to God very quietly and peacefully on Saturday night the eve of the New Year with no medical equipment attached to her just as she wished.

We all thought and hoped that Mary would be with us for longer, God wanted to bring her home earlier than we would have wished.
Mary now is happy, all of her hopes and plans realised beyond her wildest dreams as she shares life in Heaven with all who have gone before her.
To know that is really wonderful, but the pain of loss still has to be bourn by family and friends who loved her so much in life.
To be despondent and hopeless is not what Mary would want at all, to celebrate her life and the many happy days we spent with her is a fitting tribute to a lovely girl who has left us early to go home.
Mary has left us with some gifts, how to cope with life when it is not going your way, how to deal with life as it comes and not despair, she did not worry, but trusted in God and that trust was rewarded in the lack of fear that was one of the treasures she possessed.
Mary Joyce's life though by human terms very short, will remain with us always as an example of how the strength of spirit which she possessed in abundance was used by her to deal with what life presented her with. Mary, may your life be an inspiration to us all who struggle with ours.

Bless you Mary.

Gerard