Mary's Reading.

JENNY’S EULOGY READING - READ BY MARY QUIRKE.


It is exactly one year, almost to the hour, since Jenny left home and never returned. On behalf of Brian, Ann, Chris and James, I would like to thank you all for coming, to share this service and think of Jenny.

This is a reading about my niece. It was written by Brian & Ann to be shared with everyone this evening. I know they would also want me to thank everyone who has supported them, either in person or by prayer during these difficult days especially those in Ireland, the United States and Australia, who cannot be here today Also to those who have helped with the organisation of everything today.

Jenny was the youngest and only daughter, preceded by two older brothers. Hence, she was always a bit of a tomboy. She could build tree houses, skateboard and play football just like any lad, maybe even better. As a small girl, getting her to wear a dress was a real struggle. As a teenager, she would often joke that she was emotionally damaged as a young child by being forced to wear a frilly frock to a birthday party! She was the first girl to play in St Mary’s School football team alongside 10 boys. Jenny enjoyed her football, sport and the outdoors. As her friend Terri McDonald said….. they were always on some sort of a mission together.

During her teenage years, she learned to play guitar and later joined a local band called “No Fouling”. You can see a photo of the band on one of the pillars here in the church, taken at a gig near Carlisle. These guys had fun and worked hard to make something of themselves. They also made it to the finals of “The Battle of the Bands” contest for local new bands during the Richmond Live music festival in 2002. An achievement they can all be proud of. Jenny was passionate about the guitar and was always belting out tunes in her room. Jimmy Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, The Beatles and Razor Light…….oh, and even Pink Floyd! Many a time we yelled upstairs, but to no avail! The music you heard this evening during the communion, was a mellow rendition of Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb” by a country singer called Dar Williams. The original version has an outstanding guitar piece that Jenny aspired to play. The song you will hear as we leave the church later is “Stumble & Fall” by Razorlight” which Jenny played a few hundred times in her room! Oh how we wish we could holler up the stairs to keep the noise down……. But sadly, we know that will never happen again.

Jenny had a quirky sense of humour. For example, there was the time the school photographer asked if anyone wanted to bring their siblings back after school to have their photograph taken……. Jenny decided she would rather bring Rocky, her pet hamster! Bigger fool Ann was coerced into calling the school to check if this was okay. They said it was unusual, but acceptable nonetheless. Well, we ended up with a very happy six-year-old sitting with a hamster rather than a family photograph! This picture is also on one of the pillars here in the church tonight. More recently, she asked if Molly the family dog she adored, could have a Mohican style haircut the next time she was groomed. We got some strange looks from other dog walkers and we’re not sure what Molly thought about it, but Jenny was pleased with the look!

Jenny had a wide circle of friends in the town and had met many people, through her love of music and playing pool in one of the local leagues. She had a kind and caring nature, always eager to help those less fortunate than herself. She was always, without exception, non-judgemental in her approach to others. Indeed, on her last Christmas Day at home, at half past nine in the morning, she asked if we had any milk to spare. When we said yes of course we have, Jenny quickly got changed and took some to a friend. When she returned, we inquisitively asked who the milk was for. Jenny simply replied… “it was just someone I know, who doesn’t have much“. That said it all…… we enjoyed our Christmas Day, but it somehow has much more meaning now, as we think of Jenny’s thoughts that day, even as such a young person. We can’t help but wonder now, was her kind, trusting and gentle nature part of her demise?

Jenny was a daughter, a granddaughter, a niece, a sister, a cousin, a daughter in law, a friend and a companion to so many people. All of them and so many others loved her. Her life has quite literally been taken from us all, in the most dreadful and tragic way and we are left with an unfillable void. However, we are grateful that we had such an independent and exclusive person as a daughter. Jenny will always be our child and no one else’s, apart from perhaps, our heavenly father.

Quite simply, Jenny is unique. She is a young woman, our daughter and we will carry her in our hearts and minds forever more. She is our “Wee Jen” and we will catch up with her soon…………… all being well.