HOLOHAN, (née Feely), Dr. Emer.  On the occasion of Emer’s birthday on Monday May 31st her husband Tony and children Clodagh and Ronan, together with her parents Frank and Ita, sisters Orla and Niamh and brother Ronan and the wider Feely and Holohan families, would like to thank all those who showed such great kindness to us following Emer’s death on 19th February. We were humbled and greatly comforted by the extraordinary number of messages of condolence, Mass cards, sympathy cards, letters and flowers that we received. This notice is to sincerely acknowledge this generosity of spirit from so many people, many of whom communicated with us anonymously.

Emer had a long illness from September 2012. She was cared for expertly and compassionately by Prof. Paul Browne and Dr Norma O'Leary, both of whom will forever have a special place in our hearts. The many doctors, nurses and other staff who cared for Emer in St James’s Hospital and Our Lady's Hospice in Harold’s Cross also did everything possible to make a difficult and painful journey more bearable.  Dr Barry Quinn was a wonderful GP for Emer from the start of her illness. Sr Joyce Cullinane was an ever-present pastor, friend and source of joy who always lifted Emer’s spirits. Fr John Browne touched Emer’s soul in a special way and led the celebration of her life with warmth, insight and consideration. We also acknowledge our close friends, particularly Dr Martha Mulcahy (née Ellison) who died on 6th February 2019 and Dr Colin Doherty, who were always there for Emer and for us when we needed them.

Clodagh and Ronan’s close friends have been an especially important source of support. We pay special tribute to Fr Éanna Ó hÓbáin, Principal, and the staff of Terenure College, to the 6th year pupils led by Captain Harry Donaghy and in particular to Cian Sullivan for organising a guard of honour outside the College as Emer passed by for the last time and for fundraising €80,000 for the Irish Cancer Society and Our Lady's Hospice in Harold’s Cross.

Covid placed many constraints on how we could mourn Emer’s death and celebrate her life. We thank everyone for observing with respect and sensitivity the public health restrictions that applied to her funeral, and thank Fr Gerry Moore and the funeral ministry team at St Pius X Church, Templeogue, for their great care. Mary Cunniffe and her team at Massey Bros Funeral Home in Templeogue and Alan Massey of Mt Jerome Cemetery could not have been more professional at an immensely difficult time.

What comes through so clearly in all the messages from those who knew Emer is her warmth, her kindness and her razor-sharp wit. Keep her in your hearts and prayers, remember her often and smile for the sunshine she brought.