Sarah ‘Susie’ Egan has been remembered as “a truly beautiful person, inside and out”
Sarah “Susie” Egan
A community in Co Kerry has been plunged into mourning following the death of a young woman who taught a generation of children ‘how to believe in themselves and dream big’.
Sarah Egan, from Kilcummin in Killarney, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, surrounded by her loving family and in the care of the nurses and staff of the Palliative Care Unit, University Hospital Kerry.
A death notice shared on RIP.ie said that Sarah, who was affectionally known as ‘Susie’ to her friends and family, is “dearly loved and sadly missed by her heartbroken parents John and Bridget, her loving sister Stephanie and brothers Chris, Mark and Darragh”.
The notice added: “Very sadly missed by her family, sister-in-law Sarah, brother-in-law Daithí, her adored nieces and nephews Jack, Oisín, Isabelle, A.J., Daisy and baby Fionn, her aunts and uncles, cousins, relatives, neighbours, work colleagues in the Mercy Pre-School, many wonderful friends and her loyal companion Teddy.
Sarah worked at the Holy Cross Mercy School, a Catholic primary school located on New Road in Killarney, where she left a huge impression on her pupils and colleagues.
Paying tribute to the popular educator, The Parents Council at The Holy Cross Mercy School said in a statement: “Our Deepest sympathy to The Egan Family on the death of your beautiful Sarah.
“We all have fabulous memories of Times with Sarah in the school. One of the kindest, caring people you could meet with a smile for everyone.
“Thinking & praying for you all at this difficult time. Heaven has gained a beautiful angel.
“Rest in Peace Sarah, you will never be forgotten for the beautiful person you were to our children & everyone that was lucky to met you.”
Sarah was well-known in the community for her work in the Aquila Leisure Club based in the Gleneagle hotel, where she taught the children of Killarney and the wider county how to swim.
The Gleneagle Leisure Centre paid a touching tribute to Sarah in a message shared on their Facebook page, saying that “her smile, her presence and the way she made everyone feel special brought joy wherever she went.”
“Our Sarah was the most beautiful soul we ever had the privilege to know beautiful not only in appearance, but in the kindness, warmth and love she gave so freely to everyone around her,” they said.
Sarah was a swim instructor at the Aquila Club at the Gleneagle Leisure Centre
“She devoted 16 years of her life in the Aquila to the children of Killarney and the wider county, teaching generations not only how to swim, but how to believe in themselves and dream big. The care, patience and encouragement she showed to every child she taught and looked after will never be forgotten. She left her mark on so many young lives, and every one of those children was better for having known her.
“Sarah was adored by all of us here and by all of our customers. Her smile, her presence and the way she made everyone feel special brought joy wherever she went. She was truly one of a kind, and the loss we all feel is immeasurable.
“While our hearts are broken, we can take solace in knowing that what we have lost heaven has gained..a truly beautiful person, inside and out.
“To Bridget, John, Stephanie, Chris, Mark and Darragh, to Sarah’s beloved nieces and nephews to Chris’s wife Sarah and Stephanie’s husband Daíthi and all her extended family, we offer our deepest and most heartfelt condolences. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.
“Goodbye Susie. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.”
The post was met with an outpouring of support from members who shared their own tributes to Sarah.
“Sarah was such a beautiful, special person that I had the pleasure of working with,” one mourner said. “She had an amazing gift of connecting with children and make them feel so cared for.
“She set the Aquila child care standards and trained the staff to her professional standards. “She will be so missed by us all. Rest in eternal peace our loving angel.”
While another added: “A beautiful beautiful lady. Rest easy Sarah, thank you for looking after my daughter so lovingly when she did the summer camps in the Glen with you.”
Sarah will lie in repose at O’Shea’s Funeral Home, Killarney on Sunday from 3:30pm to 6pm. Her funeral cortege will arrive at St. Mary’s Cathedral at 10:00am on Monday morning for Requiem Mass at 10:30am, with burial afterwards in Killarney Burial Ground.
Her family have asked for donations in lieu if desired to be made to Kerry Hospice Foundation (Palliative Care).
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.