An inspiration to us all

THE loss of a loved one is always heartbreaking, even if you believe you are prepared for it. However, to be able to walk away from the final farewell full of pride, hope and inspiration is the greatest gift from the departed to those left behind.

In March of this year, after a short battle with her second bout of cancer, Deirdre Keegan, from Rathfarnham, who was more affectionately known as Dee, passed away.

Four years previously Dee had been diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus in St James’s Hospital.

She fought through chemotherapy, radium therapy and the surgery that removed part of her oesophagus. With the unwavering support of her family the treatment was successful and she went into remission.

Inspired by her experience, Dee decided to pursue a life long dream, to earn a degree. She was never one to do anything in half measures so she set her sights on Psychology in UCD.

She believed that coming from a family of 13 siblings, seven girls and six boys, that she would have the advantage of having plenty of subjects to practice the theory on and maybe even come up with a few theories of her own.

In October of last year, Deirdre and her youngest sister Orla attended what they believed was to be a routine check up.

It came as a shock when the doctor informed them that the cancer had come back, and this time it had spread to her liver. Unfortunately the prognosis was less than positive.

The diagnosis did nothing to deter Dee from her goal, nor did it dampen her spirit or weaken her resolve. She pressed on with her assignments in college, hanging around outside the submissions office in a hurry to drop one off so she could get started on the next. She became a source of inspiration to her fellow students, tutors and professors alike.

On March 18 of this year Dee was awarded the Aegrotat Honours Degree of Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in a memorable ceremony held in the picturesque UCD Nova Centre.

The Psychology faculty in full academic garb, Dee’s family and all her friends attended the ceremony. The day was one to remember and an occasion that the Keegan family will be eternally grateful to the staff and faculty of UCD for.

Sadly, nine days later, on March 27, Dee passed away. She spent her final days surrounded by her family and with her daughter Samira and her baby sister Orla by her side.

Her needs were met by the wonderful people of Our Lady’s Hospice Home Care Team to whom the family will also be eternally grateful for making sure she felt no pain or fear and went with the same dignity in which she had lived life in her last few months.

Her funeral was held at Rathfarnham Church on March 31. Her coffin was carried by her six sisters and the readings were conducted by her six brothers.

Her family, friends and all who loved her attended the service.