'Beautiful little angel' remembered at funeral in Portlaoise

Peppa Pig balloons floated either side of a white coffin at the funeral mass of Rosaleen ‘Rosie’ McDonagh in SS Peter and Paul’s Church in Portlaoise this afternoon. 

The 3-year-old tragically lost her life last when she was struck by a car in the Fairgreen estate in the town last Wednesday. 

Her family and friends wore t-shirts emblazoned with her picture as they said farewell to the young child. Banners reading ‘Love you always our little fairy girl Rosaleen’ and ‘We will never forget you princess’ were placed by the altar. 

“She is now with the angels and saints in heaven,”  Monsignor John Byrne told the congregation.  

A relative of Rosie’s, Mary Lou, read a poem written in Rosie’s memory recalling the “beautiful little angel” with eyes bright like “diamonds” and an “infectious smile”.     

She spoke of the sorrow of her parents, grandparents and relations who love her so much but only got to spend three short years with the child. 

Monsignor Byrne extended his own sympathy and that of the entire parish. 

“She was a bright star among you and remember,” he said. He told the mourners that their  love shared with Rosie will live on. 

Rosie is survived by her parents Bernard and Victoria and siblings Bernie, Julia, Valerie, Priscilla and Jolene.  

She is deeply regretted by her heartbroken parents, brother and sisters, grandparents Willie and Winnie McCarthy and Bernard and Margaret McDonagh, uncles, aunts, cousins, neighbours, relatives and her many friends.

Requiem Mass took place at SS Peter and Paul’s in Portlaoise at noon and she is to be laid to rest afterwards in St Joseph's Cemetery Mountmellick.