'Gorgeous' little girl from Waterford passes away
The late Emma Flynn.
The entire Tramore community is in mourning due to the death of Emma Flynn, an 11-year-old girl who had a rare condition, Idiopathic Aplastic Anaemia, or bone marrow failure.
Emma was diagnosed with the condition at Crumlin Children's Hospital on her 10th birthday.
Her brother, Billy, aged 11, was found to be an identical bone marrow donor. However, Emma had to travel to Utrecht, in the Netherlands, for the bone marrow transplant as the procedure could not be done here in Ireland.
Her family wrote: “Emma will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her heartbroken mam Edwina Healy; her sister Evie and her brothers Billy and Tommy and her dad Daryl. She will be fondly remembered by her adoring grandparents Hilda, Ted, Davy and Jean and her uncle Tom.
“Emma will be remembered always by all her extended family, relatives, neighbours, and many, many friends and especially her best friend Katie.
“The Flynn-Healy family would like to thank with great appreciation all the staff in Crumlin Children’s Hospital and The Princess Maxima Hospital Utrecht The Netherlands, for the great care and attention Emma received throughout her illness.
“Edwina would like to thank everyone in Tramore, Waterford and beyond for the generous support that Emma and her family graciously received throughout her illness.”
Annette McNeil spoke to the Waterford News & Star on behalf of Tramore Tidy Towns. She said that Emma was a “beautiful, happy, positive little one”.
She said she was “never grumpy” despite being in pain throughout her life.
Annette spoke so highly of Emma’s mother, Edwina. She said, “Her mam never left her side, not even for a day.”
Tramore Tidy Towns held a coffee morning at Raglan Road in aid of Emma and her family and raised €840.
She said, “The whole town got behind her. Everyone was hoping, and now the hope is gone.”
She said Emma’s death will be especially sad for her friends, “who were constantly cheering her on.”
"She was just a gorgeous girl," Annette said.
Emma’s Requiem Mass will take place on Saturday, July 4, at 10am at The Church of The Holy Cross, Tramore, Co. Waterford. Anyone wishing to take part in Emma’s Mass remotely can do so by finding the link on her RIP notice.
Emma’s cremation service will take place on Saturday, July 4, at 4pm in The Island Crematorium, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork.
Her funeral cortege will walk from the junction of Priest Road and Summerhill at approximately 9:40am to arrive for her Requiem Mass.
As per Emma’s wishes, she would love everybody to wear bright and colourful clothing for her Mass on Saturday in celebration of her life.
