Ireland

Thousands of mourners gather for funeral of `saintly' young woman in Co Donegal

The remains of Grace Gilliand are escorted out of The Church of Our Lady Star Of The Sea in Bundoran by fire service personnel. Photo: North West Newspix
The remains of Grace Gilliand are escorted out of The Church of Our Lady Star Of The Sea in Bundoran by fire service personnel. Photo: North West Newspix The remains of Grace Gilliand are escorted out of The Church of Our Lady Star Of The Sea in Bundoran by fire service personnel. Photo: North West Newspix

THOUSANDS of mourners have gathered in Co Donegal for the funeral of a 23-year-old woman who suffered from a rare genetic neurological and developmental disorder.

Grace Gilliland from Bundoran died on Sunday surrounded by her family.

She suffered from Rett Syndrome, the symptoms of which include an inability to walk or talk, erratic breathing patterns, seizures and scoliois.

During her life, her bravery in dealing with her condition won her famous fans including Westlife, Ronan Keating, Nathan Carter, Brian O’Driscoll, Johnny Sexton and Michael Murphy.

Around 2,000 family and friends yesterday gathered at the Church of Our Lady Star Of The Sea in Bundoran for Mass of the Resurrection.

Canon Ramon Munster said it was an extremely "sad day as we say farewell to our good friend and our angel Grace".

"We say farewell to a saintly person who has never sinned, and who has drawn an infinite amount of goodness from her parents Olga and Neil and all those who have cared for her," he said.

"I hope that in days to come that will be seen as the effect Grace has had on her family parish and community.

"Although we sympathise with her parents Olga and Neil we must congratulate them on their love and care and affection which they showed Grace throughout her life. Little did her parents know what they would be facing over many years to come. They had to make the decision to dedicate their lives totally to the love and care of Grace for whatever time she was allowed on this earth. It has turned out to be 23 years of love and affection for a special girl."

Canon Munster revealed that her parents "only missed five days in her company".

"There are no words that can praise them enough," he said.