I have been quiet this week because of the sudden death of my niece, Dervla, which has completely broken me. On Monday, while I was away with my girls and my partner, I received the devastating news that my beautiful Dervla had passed away. I kept this from my daughters until we got home. I prayed for a miracle, but it didn’t come. She was the light of our family and never truly knew how deeply we loved her.
Dervla, you were so loved, and it hurts beyond words to know I will never see you alive again.
I will say my final goodbyes on Monday or Thursday, if I can find someone to watch the girls or a friend to drive me to the mortuary, which is four to five hours away.
I wish I had sent you a message on Sunday when I was thinking about you. Maybe things would be different. I didn’t know you were in crisis, feeling you weren’t good enough. You were so wrong about that.
We need to do more for women’s health so that tragedies like this can be prevented.
Next week we will celebrate her life on her birthday as we wait for the inquest and funeral. It will be so hard for my sister, our family, and her friends.
Hold the women in your life close and tell them they are loved. Dervla was deeply loved and will always stay in our hearts.
If you knew her and would like to celebrate her life, or if you know where I can buy 28 biodegradable yellow and lilac balloons, please let me know.
My heart is broken, and I cannot stop crying. All my strength goes to my sister Nina, our family, and everyone who loved her.
Even in my grief, I will make care packs tomorrow for women going through PPROM in pregnancy, because I promised my girl Sinead that I would.
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