Avril MacRory

Our sympathy to you Val on the passing of your dear wife Avril. Also our sympathy to your son Sam and to Simon her dear brother. I met you all at the funeral of her dear mother Lily RIP. I used visit Lily in Glengara with my cousin Emer. We both attended her funeral and I met you both. Paddy and Lily were often in our house. His mother Peggy was my mother Mary B's first cousin. I hope we can keep in contact. Our sincere sympathy. Sheila & Vincent. Blackrock Co Dublin

Dearest Val, Sam and Kimberly,

Our deepest sympathies on the passing of dear Avril. She was one in a million in so many ways and will be missed beyond words. We are truly sorry - you are all in our thoughts.

Suaimhneas síoraí dá h-anam.

I too read of Avril’s untimely passing in yesterday’s press obituary and was deeply saddened. We were schoolmates at Holy Faith Haddington Road, Dublin, until she left for Sion Hill, Blackrock, and used to meet up then travelling home on the 7a bus. Avril was a bright and sensitive girl, like the woman she became, and after overlapping at college later, I was always glad to hear of her considerable achievements and the deserved recognition they brought. My heartfelt condolences to Val, Sam, her family and many friends.

Dear Val, I've just read of Avril's untimely death and to say I'm shocked is an understatement. She was a wonderful woman and had a wonderful career. I send my dearest wishes to you and your family at this very sad time. I do hope we'll meet agsin soon.

Avril was such a pivotal part of my journey into music. She believed in me fiercely, often more than I could believe in myself. She had a rare gift for making people feel truly seen - I’ll never forget how she remembered the names of my parents and every one of my siblings, even after meeting them only once. She was a powerful, inspiring woman who left her mark on everyone she met. Avril helped fan the flame of passion for the gift of song that still burns in me today, and her encouragement gave me permission to dream bigger. I will carry her influence, her kindness, her strength and her example with me always.

I conducted the RTE Producer training course where Avril not only shone as talented and creative television producer, but won our hearts as an empathic and warm human being with a great gift for friendship. May she rest in peace

Today I attended Avril's funeral in London, and brought with me the joyful memories all of us who were in Sion Hill Secondary School in Dublin with her 1968-1973. Her service at Putney Vale Crematorium was a wonderful occasion that marked the huge contribution she made to so many lives. Her major professional achievements on both sides of the Irish Sea (RTE, Channel 4 and later BBC) were remembered, as was her love of family, her capacity to maintain a wide network of friendships, and a great capacity for hospitality and fun. Many young people spoke to me of her as an encouraging mentor. Fittingly, the music was very special and included arrangements that she had been involved with such as Celtic Women. We will miss you, Avril, but we won't forget you! Maith an chailín!

Dear Val and Sam please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of Avril. You gave her a wonderful send off today and brought back many vivid memories of the brilliant trail-blazing comet of a woman that left such a stimulating impression on all of us who knew her and were privileged to work with her. I will never forget her personal kindness to me and her support when I left RTE. She was a mighty woman and remains a constant source of inspiration. May she rest in peace. Mind yourselves. Gerry

Val, Sam, Kimberley, Simon, Angelica and extented family and friends, sincere sympathy. Just joined you all on Web for Avril's farewell. What beautiful memories, tributes, poetry, music and photos of Avril's full life. Our Lady of Knock comfort you all.

We went thru primary school together. Even then Avril was some woman for one woman. She will be missed terribly. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis. Most sincere condolences to Val & Sam ❤️

Deepest sympathy to Val, Sam and Kimberley and Simon and Angelica and all her friends and family. Avril will be very sadly missed by us all.

Val, my sincere condolences to you and to Sam. Simon, my deepest sympathy to you also, this last loss must be very hard. Slán is céad Avril.

We met over half a century ago in Cumann D in UCD and our paths criss crossed ever since. My Samuel's best dungarees were her Sam's OshKosh, after she emptied boxes in her attic to send me home with a sack of lovely toddler clothes which I could have ill afforded to buy myself, and a sack of good advice on how to combine motherhood with a full time - often more than full time - job in the media. She was a remarkable woman, and will be terribly missed. Condolences to Val and Sam and her wider family

Love and sympathy from us both. She was some woman for one woman. May she rest in peace and may her memory be a blessing.

Felicity and Wilf

To Val , Sam and Simon . Our condolences for the loss of your beloved Avril .
We share special memories of friendship and youthful days in Tramore and Dublin.

Sincere sympathy to Val and Sam on the passing of Avril. Our thoughts are with you at this tough time. Treasure your memories. Rest in peace Avril.

I would like to offer my deepest sympathy on Avril's passing. Our mothers were extremely close friends throughout their lives, having met as newly weds based in Tramore. Avril was part of our early childhoods but after our ways diverged, she remained very much part of our lives through our mothers' lifelong communication and meet-ups.
Thinking very much of all who truly loved her.
Jean

Sincere sympathy to Avrils family. We started school together in St Angela's. Happy memories of early school days. May Avril rest in peace.

Rest in peace Avril

When I first got to know Avril at meet & greet sessions promoting the BBC in the ‘90’s We almost always ended up the last in the room drinking mediocre wine & munching nibbles. When Avril invited me to join her team on the Millennium night show, despite my never having done a live show in my 30yrs at the Beeb. I was thrilled to be invited to take charge of the nations & regions output. This was the beginning of a treasured friend & colleague relationship. Avril was fun to work with & inspirational & life enhancing. I wept at the news at her passing. Our families became very good friends. Hilary, Kat & I spent many happy hours together with Avril, Val & Sam. She will be sorely missed.

My deepest condolences to Avril's family on her passing 🙏.

Comhbhrón ó chroí. I knew Avril in An Cumann Drámaíochta, UCD many years ago. We crossed paths occasionally in RTÉ and I held her in the highest regard.

Avril would light up any room when I grew up with her in Tramore.May God give you both the strength to deal with your sad loss. May she rest in peace.

To say that Avril was one-of-a-kind is the understatement of the century. I can only speak personally as to my introduction to her in 2004 - a professional and personal connection that completely changed my life. She shared her many years of experience and adventure freely with me, wrapped in a powerful and meaningful love and appreciation of the arts for which I will be forever grateful to have experienced. She introduced me to her beloved Soho House, and more importantly to her infectious sense of possibility in music, television and the arts. I love her deeply and feel the world a less interesting place without her life force, her energy, her inspiration. I will miss you so very much Avril x

Sincere condolences to Avril‘s family on their great loss, not only was she a great boss of mine but a great friend to us here in RTE in Cork, and and an outstanding talent both at RTE and the BBC. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

Condolences to Val, Sam and the extended family. Very sad news. We soldiered together on many production's , she was clever, talented and great fun. Avril RiP.

Avril Rest peacefully with the angels from your old friend Anna

Sad news . Condolences to all who mourn Avril .