JOURNALIST Aideen Kennedy has been remembered as a gifted reporter and a "kind" and "loving" person who bore much heartache in her life.
The 43-year-old died just hours after tweeting on Friday that she was suffering from a terminal illness and was receiving palliative care at home.
Ms Kennedy had worked for a number of news organisations, including The Irish News for a period in the early 2000s.
She was probably best-known from her time at UTV when she was a familiar face on TV screens.
The mother-of-two had endured the trauma of a number of family bereavements. She lost her older sister Fiona (44) to cancer in 2016, less than a year after younger brother Dara (35) died from a brain tumour.
Her other sibling, Rory, was killed in a road accident when he was aged just one.
On Friday, she posted on Twitter: “So life has not gone well and I am as sick as I was as when I went in to hospital so essentially going home to die but getting palliative care.
"The kids know. If you ever come across them, will you an eye out for them, they are the kindest, sweetest most thoughtful kiddies."
Tributes have been pouring in since her sudden death.
In a statement, her former employer UTV described her as a "truly gifted reporter".
Ken Reid, former UTV political editor, tweeted: "Tonight the thought @Aideen_Reporter is no longer with us is just heartbreaking. A decent soul who suffered too much. The news has stunned many of us. We all need to take care. God bless her. RIP."
Tributes were also paid by Macmillan Media where Aideen started her broadcast career presenting daily breakfast news for GMTV.
Senior Partner Michael Macmillan said: "Our hearts go out to Aideen’s family.
"She was a lovely person, a determined and enthusiastic journalist and an inspiring colleague. We remember her fondly".
Lagan Valley DUP Assembly member Emma Little-Pengelly said the pair met 22 years ago when they shared a room for the summer in Washington DC and had remained firm friends since.
She tweeted: "No more pain, or illness for you now. No more sorrow or trauma. The most beautiful, kind soul that life gave me the privilege of knowing. Our walks and talks, craic and fun. I hope we will meet again. Goodbye my friend."
Belfast SDLP councillor Séamas de Faoite tweeted: "I was heartbroken by this tragic news this morning about such a kind soul. Mam babysat Aideen, Dara and Fiona for years when they were kids. Aideen was such a bright light who had been through so much. My thoughts are with Noel, Maura, Jacob and Eva."
St Agnes' Choral Society, of which Ms Kennedy was a member, said: "Tonight we raise a glass in memory of our dear member Aideen Kennedy who sadly passed away today. Such a talent and she was one of leading ladies in Me and My Girl. She will be missed in the TV and music arenas."
In an interview with the Belfast Telegraph in 2019, Ms Kennedy spoke of how she had struggled to come to terms with the loss of her siblings.
She said Fiona and Dara were her "best friends" and described how she was plunged into depression after their deaths but eventually found the strength to start living again.
She said: "I think reaching out to family and friends is essential and not pretending you're okay on days when you feel bad. My advice for people navigating grief is that even when times are dark, think about the special people and moments in your life that make it all worthwhile."
Ms Kennedy is survived by her children Jacob and Eva and parents Noel and Maura.
