A MOTHER of four who died in a stabbing incident at her home in East Wall, Dublin, earlier this month has been described as “the greatest mam ever” and a wonderful, good-humoured friend who loved nothing more than a good sing-song.
About 300 people attended the funeral yesterday of Joan O’Connor (Vickers) in St Joseph’s Church in East Wall.
Fr Jim Fegan described Ms O’Connor as a “very special person”. Fr Fegan said he had grown up beside her and “a host of people will testify to the beauty of the relationship that existed between her and them. Joan will be missed by friends until the day when the creative power of God combines in another human person the unique qualities that Joan possessed”.
One of her two daughters, Nicola, said she and her mother had had their ups and downs, but this was because they were so similar. “It is so hard to believe you are gone, mam. I remember you calling me and saying: ‘Are you coming home or what? I’ll be giving your room away.’ I wish I could hear you just one more time. I wish we could have been able to say goodbye properly.
“We hope you are happy where you are. Don’t worry about us, because the support we have is absolutely amazing. I wouldn’t change a thing about you for the world. You were the best mam ever.”
Her best friend, Clare Graham, called her “my dearest Joan”.
“My God, what has happened? We just cannot get over it and I know we never will. All we wish is that we could bring you back and let you know how much we love you. We will all do all we can to care for and support your children left behind . . . Rest in peace. We love you babe.”
Her uncle, John Matthew, said he was privileged to have been Joan’s uncle. “Joan was born on October 27th, 1965. She was an absolutely adorable baby, full of mischief and fun.”
She was a “little bit of a rebel as a teenager, not too much, just a little” and she grew into “a wonderful woman, a devoted wife, a loving mother and doting grandmother. She was highly thought of by her work colleagues”. She lost her own mother when she was 16 and this had “hit her very hard”.
Mr Matthew added: “She had a heart of gold. Kindness shone from her and I don’t think I ever knew her to be in bad humour, and she has left us a wonderful legacy. She has left us Richard, Rebecca, Nicola and Liam – look into any one of their eyes and looking back at you is Joan.”
Ms O’Connor was buried after her funeral Mass at St Fintan’s Cemetery in Sutton.
