RÓISÍN HOLDEN

Rest in Peace, Róisín. I can hardly believe you’re gone.

I am sorry for your loss, Jackie and every member of her family, and friends. I was lucky enough to get to know Róisín and I am taking everything she taught me with me. She was an exceptional woman, so determined and elegant. So much to learn from her and her way to embrace adversity when it was inevitable.

Róisín, thanks for having existed. Thank you for being you, thank you for your patience and for caring so much about everyone you loved. You are a real example. You said in your blog you didn’t want this disease to define you, and it definitely won’t. We will remember you for your kindness, commitment and love for life, family and friends. And cats. And nature. And yoga...

So much to say, to be honest… but it’s time to let you go now. My heart aches. I will keep to myself all the unspoken words I would have loved to tell you while holding your hand in the hardest of times. Good bye from Spain, beautiful Róisín.

Comhbhrón ó chroí le Jackie, Conor Cathal, Michael, Isabel, Caitlin agus le muintir Gowran agus Holden ar bhás Róisín. Ag smaoineamh oraibh go léir
Leaba i measc na Naomh go raibh aici.

To Jacky, Conor, the Gowrans and the Holdens, I have delayed expressing my deepest sympathies to you all in this book until now as we approach beautiful Róisín's Month's Mind, so that I could gather my thoughts and describe them in these words: While I can barely imagine the certain emptiness in your lives following her tragic, untimely passing and the ongoing pain of her loss to you all in the future, I humbly offer my continuing thoughts, prayers and support for you all so that you may have the strength to persevere through your grief. Having known her since the day she came into this world, I know that with her sharp wit and her loving, caring essence, Róisín will forever be remembered as the beautiful little rose that is her name.

I really enjoyed working with Róisín on the kinsale harbour cruise breifly and I have one funny memory like a comic strip in my mind; we were tying up the punt and róisín had one leg on the dock one on the punt, and she started to do the splits, lost balance and fell completely into the water apart from one hand with which she managed to hold the boat phone safe out of the water!!! I am so sad to hear of her passing and can’t imagine the loss and heartbreak of loosing such a wonderful beautiful gentle daughter. Sending so much love and strength Jackie.

May cherished memories bring you comfort during this difficult time Jackie, and may the love you shared with Róisín live on in your heart.

I was browsing when I came upon the magnificent lyrics written by Conor to celebrate his beautiful sister.I have read and re-read it.I hope it heals your shattered hearts.I have a Holden bag and was drawn to the name only to discover your huge loss of someone so perfect and serene. Will light a candle for you all.

Sincere & Heartfelt condolences to Jackie, Cathal, The Gowran & Holden Families on the extremely heartbreaking loss of your beautiful Róisín. Bean álainn i mBláth na hÓige tógtha ró luath.
My thoughts & prayers are with you all at this time of immeasurable grief & sadness. Bhí Róisín lán do ghrá le croí mór cneasta agus gáire speisialta.
May her gentle spirit shine upon you
and bring you comfort. 🕊🤍

I can’t belive that such a beautiful light is gone. My heart goes out to yours Jackie and all the Gowrans and the Holdens.I wish you all peace and love in the sad times ahead.xxx

Sincere & Heartfelt condolences to Jackie, Cathal, The Gowran & Holden Families on the extremely heartbreaking loss of your beautiful Róisín. There simply are no words to adequately express how sorry I am for your heartbreaking loss. My thoughts & prayers are with you all at this time of immeasurable grief & sadness. May Róisín now Rest In Peace.

Sincere Sympathy on Roisins passing.
Thinking of you at this time,
May her gentle soul rest in peace

Jackie, Conor, Claire and family. So saddened to hear of Roisin's passing. She was a lovely and beautiful girl from a young age. We have special memories of the fun the girls' had in Ventry. May she rest in peace. Thinking of you all.

(1/2)

A cairde.

Thank you all for your kind messages here, and to all who reached out in other ways. They mean so much to us, and would to Róisín also. Those messages that speak of memories and adventures, and those celebrating my sister’s writing, her spirit, and her journey touched me deeply.

Róisín meant the world to us. Her loss will be felt by our family and her friends forever. The profound gifts of her example, her wisdom, her strength, her kindness and her true bravery will
live among us forever also.

Thank you again for your kindness and your prayers at this difficult time. Its my belief that Róisín has transcended the little wisdom we may know on earth. We will see her in the beautiful things, and of think of her especially when we are visited by butterflies. Let us live a little wiser, and love a little deeper.

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I’ve also been asked to share a few words that were spoken at the ceremony celebrating Róisín. Here are those words. They arose from the moment.


Táimid comh briste le na tonnta
A thiteann ar an trá
Tá sí scríobhte ar ár sléibhte
Is daighin an stoirm an grá


There is a wild garden where my sister named the trees for heroes.
Grainne grows there with her Diarmuid by her side.
There, Oisín son of fionn mac cumhaill breathes the whole clear sky into the land’s own deep roots.
Where cúchulainn is immortal, an eternal stone of courage stood forever in the wood.

We will go to that wild garden
And we will find a strong, brave tree whose spirit calls out to be named
And we shall name it Róisín, for the bravest greatest hero I have ever loved
And we will spill her ashes in its shade
And plant our grief as though it were a seed
That one spring day will sprout and grow, and bloom and take
It will produce a rose that grows out of a sage
A blessing, blossoming with healing love, and bringing joy
To heal the land, and our ancestors, and the coming age
To shine so beautifully among the glade
That all who see it know it must be but a shade
An echo of a beautiful, tall, holy flower
That grows forever in an another, timeless, sacred, love-lit place
Her name is Róisín. Róisín is her name.

Oh Jackie, I’ve only just heard the heartbreaking news… My deepest sympathies to you and your families.. Roisin was such a gorgeous girl, with an infectious smile.. You and your family are in my thoughts. My heart is breaking for you..

Dear Jackie and family, we are so so saddened to hear of the death of your lovely Roisin. May she rest in peace.

Jackie, my condolences on the passing of Róisín. Such a tragedy at a young age, feels so wrong. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May Róisín rest in peace

Condolence to Roisin family just read Roisin blog what a wonderful and courageous soul who lived he short life to the full she packed soe much in to her short life it would take most people a lifetime

Heartbroken to hear the news of Roisín's passing, her kindness in my first week attending Coláiste Íde is something I will remember always. No doubt her warm soul will continue to live on with each memory and every reminder of her strength and spirit. Sending my deepest condolences to her family and wide circle of friends during this time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Sending much love and support from across the water, from your extended Coventry family. I had such a vivid picture of Roisin shared by your beautiful girls, Claire and Conor, and I hope that you can steer each other through at this difficult time. You are all in our thoughts with love from your cousin, Kay and family, Marc, Archie and Ines xxx

We are deeply saddened by the heartbreaking news of Róisín. We have lovely memories of all our children together when they were small.
Our thoughts are with you all during this very sad time.
May Róisín rest in peace and love. 🤍

Comhbhrón ó chroí libh Jackie agus Conor, agus le bhur gclann. Mór an cailliúint daoibh go léir.

We feel so incredibly lucky to have met Roisin and to have spent many of our childhood days outside playing together in Cuan. Many happy memories. We are so deeply sorry for your loss. Rest in peace

I had the privilege to know Róisín through her extended family, her infectious smile, her love for others, her gracious wats were something i personally will never forget. She took pride in capturing life through her camera, showing people her true love for those around her. My heart aches for your beautiful family, ye were blessed to have Róisín in your lives, live on knowing her legacy is there forever. Rest easy Róisín,your work here on earth is done, enjoy your high place in heaven, until you see your family once again. My thoughts and prayers for you all at this very difficult time in your lives.

Conor, Jackie and family,
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of your beloved Róisín.
Our thoughts are with you all during this sad time.
May Róisín rest in peace.

Thinking of you all at this sad time, you're all in our prayers
Rita

Our deepest sympathy to all the Holden family on the very sad passing of Roisin. May her gentle soul rest in eternal peace.

Jackie, Conor, Attracta and family
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your beloved Roisin ...my thoughts are with you all during this sad time. Roisin seemed full of love and had a wonderful zest for life...may she RIP
Therese

So sorry for the loss of your darling Roisin. Sending deepest condolences to all her family and friends. May she rest in peace.

So sorry to hear of Róisín's passing, sending love and thoughts to you all. ❤️

We send you our love and our sorrow on the loss of your dearly beloved Roisin.

May God bless Jackie, Conor, Attracta, Cathal, Michael, Isabel, Caitlin, Claire and all of Roisin's Holden and Gowran families, and hold you all close at this sad time.

Leigh and Catherine Hebblethwaite (nee Lenehan)

Nothing that I can ever say will ease your pain on losing such a precious and special person from your life. My memory of Roisin is playing happily and freely with my children in Cuan in those past summer days. I am deeply sorry for your loss.

Roisin it was an absolute pleasure to have met you and spend time in your company, such a beautiful warm kind hearted girl, heaven has gained such a beautiful soul💜 thinking of your family and friends at this heartbreaking and very difficult time, fly high beautiful girl xx

Dearest Jackie and family, so sad to hear of the passing of your beautiful Róisín. Your cherished warm memories will no doubt comfort you a little, during this very sad and lonely time. Rest peacefully Roisin.

So sorry to hear of Roisin's passing. Sincere sympathy to all of her family. May she rest in peace.

Our deepest condolences to all of Roisin's family & friends. Roisin had a presence that will be sadly missed by all who had the privilege to have known her.
She will never be far from you and will live on in your wonderful memories.
Fly High Roisin ❤️

My dear Jackie...sending you and all family deepest condolences, my heart is broken. Always remember, your beautiful daughter Róisín is there shining the brightes light and will be always with you!

Deepest sympathy to the Holden family on the passing of Roisin.
May she rest in peace.

Deepest sympathy to Jackie and family on the loss of your beautiful daughter, May Róisín rest in peace

Comhbhrón ó chroí libh go léir ar bhur mbris. Suaimhneas síoraí d'anam Róisín.

We are so sorry to hear of the very sad death of your beloved Roisin. Deepest sympathies to Jackie, Conor, Cathal, Michael, Isabel, Caitlin and Claire and Roisin's extended family and friends. You are very much in our thoughts.

Deepest sympathy to Jackie and family on the sad passing of your dear daughter Roisin. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad and difficult time. RIP

Sincere sympathy to Jackie and all the Gowran and Holden families on the loss of your beautiful Roisin. May she rest in eternal peace.

Dearest Jackie and family, so sorry to hear of the loss of your beautiful Róisín. May you find peace in the knowledge that her pain has ended and that she leaves you with wonderful memories. Thinking of you at this very sad and difficult time.

Condolences to Róisíns Family and Friends. Too young taken way to soon. May she rest in peace.

Sincerest condolences to Róisín’s family on her loss. May she rest in peace.

Our deepest sympathies to Róisín's family at this very sad time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Our deepest sympathy on the passing of your beautiful daughter Roisín.

Comhbhrón ó chroí leis an gclann go léir.
Briseadh Croi agus Croi bhristeadh
Suaimhneas síoraí do anam Róisín.

Comhbhrón ó chroí Jackie, Cathal and all the Gowran and Holden Family on the loss of your beautiful beloved Roisín. May you find strength and comfort in your wonderful memories of the love that you shared.
Codladh Sámh Roisín a Stóir.

Tá fíor-bhrón orainn faoi bhás Róisín, iar-scoláire Choláiste Íde. Comhbhrón ó chroí le muintir agus cairde Róisín agus táimid ag guí ar bhur son le linn an am dúshlánach seo. Scoláire cliste, measúil, álainn ab ea Róisín. Suaimhneas síorraí dá hanam dílis.

To all of Roisin's family and friends....our very sincere condolences on your immeasurable loss. May Roisin Rest Peacefully.

Sincere condolences on the passing of your beautiful girl. Heartbroken for you all!

Rest in peace Róisín. It’s hard to believe you’re not out there weaving your own path as you always did so well, but maybe you are in another way. You were one of a kind and I can only imagine how missed you will be from this world. I’ll cherish our memories together from Coláiste Íde and our first college years in Cork. Ní bheidh a leithéid ann arís.

Heartfelt sympathies to all the Gowran and Holdens! Thinking of ye Jackie and Attracta in this extremely difficult time! May she rest in peace ❤️❤️❤️

Heartfelt sympathies to all of the Gowran’s and Holdens! Thinking of ye Jackie and Attracta ❤️❤️ xxxxx

Sincere sympathy to all the family at this very sad time 🙏

Comhbhron ó chroí le Jackie, Conor, Claire agus leis an gclann ar fad. Cailín álainn ab ea Róisín i gColáiste Íde, pléisiúr í bheith sa rang. Suaimhneas síoraí di.

Jackie so sorry to hear of Róisíns death may she rest in peace

Sincere sympathy to all the family may Roisin RIP 🙏

Deeply saddened to hear this news. Our condolences to all of the Holden family at this sad sad time.