Mourners at the funeral of a Newry mum-of-two, who was tragically killed while travelling to meet her husband after a Westlife concert in Dublin, have heard that her death has “granted a miracle to five other families”.
The Funeral Mass of Danielle O’Keane was held in St Joseph’s Church, Sheeptown on Friday. The very church she and her husband, Dave were married in, in 2022.
In fact, mourners were told that next Tuesday (October 13) would have been the couple’s fourth wedding anniversary.
Leading the Requiem Mass, Very Rev. Canon Francis Brown welcomed mourners from far and wide, calling particular attention to those who had travelled from Dublin, Kildare, Limerick and Cork and those from Australia, San Francisco, California and Poland.
The packed Sheeptown church were comforted by the priest, who said there had been a “welling up feeling of sympathy” for the family who mourn her.
Danielle was also the proud mother of her two young sons, Caolán and Cillian; the twin sister of Sean; sister of Barry and daughter to Pauline and Michael.
While the priest reinforced that the entire parish’s thoughts and prayers were with Danielle’s entire extended family, he stressed “today belongs to Danielle”.
Born in 1989, Danielle was fondly known as a “fabulous person”, said the priest.
“Above all else, a people person,” he said. “She loved to meet people, to talk to them about anything that interested them. She was always at ease with people.
“There were no pretensions about her. She didn’t mind if you were a prince or pauper she was always herself.”
The congregation heard that Danielle and Dave met while working together many years ago. He added: “It would be fair to say, they weren’t working all the time!”
Recalling their wedding day and the proximity of that day to the date of her funeral, the priest continued: “Little did anyone think that five days before their fourth anniversary she would be laid to rest in the soil of Sheeptown.”
Her children were her “pride and joy”, she was a “true mother”.
Recalling the fateful night of the concert, the priest said Danielle and Dave left their boys with her parents. After telling her father they were leaving, her dad’s last words to her were “enjoy yourself”.
Caolán and Cillian waved them off.
Father Brown told mourners that the family are “forever grateful” to the parish and wider community.
They included Westlife in their thanks, in particular, for dedicating ‘You Raise Me Up’ and ‘Flying Without Wings’ to her memory during a recent concert in Newcastle, England.
Danielle’s family bravely nominated to have her organs donated to those in need.
Her loved ones were encouraged to take comfort in knowing that she continues to “live on” in their hearts and minds and in the people whose lives she has helped to save.
During eulogies performed by Clodagh, Leanne, Sean, Barry and Dave, Clodagh said: “We prayed so hard for a miracle but it just wasn’t meant to be, but because of you, a miracle was granted to five other families.”
She said Danielle was an “incredible woman who gave the gift of life to others”.
“Because of you someone may still have their child, their parent, their husband or their wife.”
A short poetic reading finished: “Danielle, you were the Queen of our all hearts”.
Danielle’s twin bother Sean fought back tears as he told mourners: “Danielle, we knew each other longer than anyone knew us.”
Together, they were side-by-side throughout life, rarely separated.
“Growing up we made so many happy memories,” he said. “Some happy times and difficult times but somehow you did everything with a smile on your face.
“My happiest memory of Danielle was watching her marry her best friend and begin her own family.”
Her wedding to Dave, never too far from their thoughts on this sad occasion, gave Sean immeasurable happiness to see his beloved sister so in love. He said of that day, “I had never seen you smile so much as you did that day”.
He thanked Danielle for the care and love she showed to their mum through her recent treatment and said that care demonstrated how much she loved others.
Said Sean: “I am so lucky to have her as my sister but luckier to have her as my twin. There will always be a part of me missing. I love you and miss you.”
Her younger brother Barry said he never imagined saying goodbye to his sister at 37.
“I will forever cherish our memories, your laughter and the silly moments we shared,” he said.
“Nothing will ever be the same without you”.
Described as an “amazing” aunt to his girls, Barry continued, choked in grief, “I would give anything for one more hug, one more laugh, one more conversation.”
Comforted by Sean, husband Dave then spoke to the love of his life whose memory he will continue to uphold in every second of every day moving forward for the sake of both their sons.
Dave said trying to put into words what Danielle meant to him and how amazing she was is an “impossible task”.
He continued: “We always used to say we wished we met earlier in life because even the rest of our lives didn’t feel like enough.
“Danielle wasn’t just my wife, she was my best friend. She was the person I wanted to tell everything to.
“The boys would be in bed and we would collapse on the sofa and tell each other the craic from the day.”
Home was their “happy place”. He said Danielle had no interest in a night on the town, she just wanted to be with her sons and her family.
He described her as the “most beautiful woman I have ever known inside and out”.
Adding: “I spent so much of our time together trying to make her smile and I would give anything to see that smile or hear her laugh again.”
Mourners heard that on the day of her funeral, the family should have been on their first family holiday.
Instead, Dave said they were facing the “worst days of their lives”.
Through tears, he said: “I have never felt pain like this. I feel so lost and alone.”
Dave vowed to ensure their boys know their mum through her stories and memories. She will be on their lips every day.
“I look at my two beautiful boys; the reason I get up in the morning is them,” said Dave.
“Everything she gave, she gave for them. They will always hear about her and never have any doubt how much their mummy loved them.
“I wished there was a word better than love to describe how much I loved Danielle.”
The Mater Hospital staff, first aiders, emergency services and first responders were repeatedly thanked throughout the Mass. Their kindness will never be forgotten.
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