Heartbroken Maia Dunphy has shared her upset she won’t be able to call her beloved late mum, Helen, anymore.
The writer and broadcaster, 45, told her friends and fans her mother died on Sunday after being diagnosed with cancer.
Maia told on Monday how she would call her mother every day, and it was “stark” to know now she never would again.
She said: “I rang my mum every day, pretty much without exception. It’s so stark to know I won’t again.”
The funeral of her mother will be held on Thursday at 10am at the Church of the Assumption in Dalkey, followed by a private cremation.
A notice on Rip.ie reads: “(peacefully) in the kind care of all the staff of St Vincent’s Private Hospital with her family by her side. Helen, beloved wife of Tom; loving mum of Marc, Maia and Anna.
"Sadly missed by her husband, children, her adored grandson Tom, extended family and a wide circle of friends.
"Helen’s funeral will take place on Thursday (3rd March) at 10am in the Church of the Assumption, Dalkey and can be viewed online at www.churchservices.tv/dalkey followed by a private cremation. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to the Marie Keating Foundation.”
Maia said she was still in disbelief as she announced the news on social media with a touching tribute to her mum.
"Cancer is a f**king horror show,” she said.
“And I never trot out platitudes about 'fighting battles' because it somehow implies some people don’t fight hard enough.
“But my mum bore her recent awful illness with the same stoicism she has approached everything in life, and those of you who know her well, will know how much has happened in these last difficult weeks and how she showed concern for everyone else until her last breath.
"But Helen didn’t doubt for a second how much she was loved. She and my dad, her beloved Tom, are married 50 years this Friday and we will be marking it as if she were here (but without her giving out to us for spending too much on gifts…).
“She was a remarkable woman; without pretension and with a very rare self-assuredness that was a testament to all the right choices she made in her life, and the acceptance of things she had no choice over.
"She was the most dedicated mum anyone could ever imagine; but even that was exceeded by her devotion to her only grandson.
"She and my dad became my family unit again over the last five years, and I am so very grateful for their support and how much they loved my little Tom.
Maia added: “My mum was a second mum to him, and I simply could not have coped without her help.
"I’m lost without her already. We love you Mama. Sleep well. X"
