Acknowledgement
We, the parents of Evelyn, would like to thank everyone who has supported us, and continues to support us, during this difficult time.
To our family and friends, we could not have endured our time in the hospice without your unwavering support. Your dedication throughout Evelyn’s life never faltered. In our darkest moments, you were always there, helping in every way you could.
Many thanks to Fr Eugene O’Neill, who conducted Evelyn’s funeral so beautifully. His homily captured her perfectly and allowed us to reflect on the joy she brought to life. His presence at the wake and the comfort he offered our family will never be forgotten.
Thank you to Laura McGurk for her beautiful singing at Evelyn’s funeral. Her performance was perfect and added so much to the service.
To all of Evelyn’s cousins and her siblings who read and took part in the offertory, we thank you. Thank you for always making Evelyn feel as special as she was and for supporting her throughout her life. She was blessed with the best.
Thank you to M. Dorman and Sons Funeral Directors. The empathy shown by Peter and Paddy was exactly what we needed during the most difficult days of our lives. They carried out their duties with such professionalism we knew from the moment we met them that we and Evelyn were in safe hands. Thanks also to Gary Harte for preparing the grave.
Evelyn spent the last weeks of her life in the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice, where she was cared for with extraordinary compassion. The hospice gave us and our other children precious time with Evelyn. The nurses and staff supported our every need—often in ways we didn’t even know we needed. They truly are angels on earth. We will never forget their kindness and will be forever grateful that such a place exists for children like Evelyn.
We would also like to thank Fr Pat, who visited the hospice to offer spiritual support during Evelyn’s illness. His kind and caring nature was a great comfort to us during our hardest days.
We extend our thanks to Stewartstown Harps Football Club for their invaluable assistance during the wake—from providing equipment for our home, to directing traffic, and ensuring the wake ran smoothly and was accessible for all who attended.
To everyone who attended Evelyn’s wake and queued in the cold to speak with us and offer words of support, your patience and understanding will never be forgotten. Thank you to all who provided food and refreshments in abundance, and to those who sent flowers, Mass cards, sympathy cards, and heartfelt messages. We are overwhelmed by your kindness. These words of comfort will help carry us through the times ahead. We will never forget the remarkable support shown to our family, and we are comforted knowing how deeply Evelyn touched so many people in her four short years.
Thank you also to the committee of Stewartstown Hall and all the volunteers who provided refreshments after Evelyn’s funeral. We are grateful for the professionalism with which everything was arranged.
Evelyn was a frequent visitor to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Belfast and Blossom Ward in Craigavon. We would like to thank all the staff in both hospitals for their support and care over the years. During short visits or long stays, we were always confident Evelyn was given the best possible care.
We are also grateful to the health professionals in the Northern Trust Children’s Team, who supported Evelyn throughout her life. Their guidance and care meant so much to us, and we cherish the close relationships they formed with her.
Evelyn attended the Buddy Bear Trust in Dungannon in her early years, and the support provided to help her development was invaluable. We are blessed to have such an amazing facility on our doorstep. The staff gave us hope when we had very little and helped Evelyn reach her full potential.
We would also like to thank all the staff at Sperrinview Special School for the exemplary care and love they showed Evelyn in her short time there. She began school in September, and we quickly saw that she had found her happy place. She gained her first taste of independence and loved everything about school. We treasured hearing stories of her growing confidence and how she won everyone over with her cheeky personality and love of singing. We are forever grateful that she experienced the joy of school life.
We would like to acknowledge Evelyn’s siblings—Rosie, Cliona, and Conan—who were her biggest cheerleaders. They showed courage, patience and unwavering love every day. She was happiest when holding centre stage with them tending to her every demand.
Evelyn was love and joy personified, we are so lucky to call her our daughter and we are better people for having been her parents. Life with Evelyn was a rollercoaster, but she faced every challenge with strength and dignity. She taught us more about joy, love, patience and resilience than anyone ever could. Our house is quieter now and there is a massive void in our hearts. We pray that Evelyn will guide us and give us strength as we navigate life without her.
As it is impossible to thank everyone personally, we hope this acknowledgement will be accepted as a token of our sincere gratitude and appreciation.

Evelyn’s Month’s Mind Mass will be celebrated in St Mary’s Chapel, Stewartstown, on Wednesday 4th March at 7.30pm.