‘She was an inspiration to everyone' – Sister's touching funeral eulogy for sister (24) who died in Australia
Brave Grace Rogers said her beloved sibling had a smile that could light up any room and was inspirational to everyone around her.
Hundreds of people attended the requiem Mass amid beautiful sunshine in Togher Church on Saturday.
Grace recalled how Maire Claire had spent the last two weeks of her life living life to the full. She was with her boyfriend Paraic, who she adored, visiting her two favourite people in the whole world, her sister Heather and best friend Roisin, both of whom had been living in Sydney.
Grace said: "Marie Claire had a smile that could light up any room, she had an infectious energy that inspired everyone around her, she wore her heart on her sleeve and it was open to everyone.
"This was evident in the love she shared with the love of her life Paraic. Paraic entered our lives two years ago and the impact he made on Maire Claire and our family can't be overstated.
"Every time he walked into our kitchen Maire Claire's eyes lit up. She loved nothing more than walking the beach with him."
Grace said her family got great comfort from knowing their daughter and sister spent the last two weeks of her life with the people she loved most in this world - her favourite people and best friends Heather and Roisin.
She said: "What an amazing two weeks they had, from a hot air balloon, to a sky dive to snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, she experienced more things in those two weeks with her best friends than most people experience in a lifetime."
Maire Claire works as a nurse at St Joseph's Hospital, Ardee and Grace said her smile translated so well into her nursing career as she was also caring by nature.
She added: "Over the past two weeks it has been so comforting to hear how much she was adored by colleagues and patients.
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"Football also played a massive part in her life and the Finbarr ladies were like a family to her.
"A messer in training but once she took to the field she gave 110pc every time and was instrumental in all the great successes the club has shared."
Members of the club lined up to honour her as her cortege made its way both in and out of Togher Church.
The Parish Priest Fr Paddy Rushe told mourners that there were "no words that can carry the weight of the moment."
He said: "We gather not only in mourning but also in shock, disbelief, it still feels impossible to accept that Marie Claire, so young, so full of life, so loved, is no longer with us.
"Her absence leaves a silence that will echo loudly, not just in her family but in every place where her smile once lit up the room. Her voice lifted spirits and her presence brought warmth and joy."
She is survived by her father Andrew, mother Mary, sisters Grace, Heather, and Frances and partner Paraic.
A Go Fund page to help the County Louth family bring Maire Claire home from Australia and pay for their expenses, has raised over €143,000.
Over 3,500 people contributed from all over Ireland and across the globe.
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Sunday World
11-05-2025
- Sunday World
‘An inspiration' – Sister's touching eulogy for young nurse who died suddenly
Sister's emotional eulogy remembers kind-hearted Louth woman who was loved by patients, teammates and friends, as over €143k raised to bring her home A heartbroken sister of Maire Claire Rogers, the Louth nurse who died suddenly while on holiday in Australia, told mourners at her funeral to celebrate the wonderful 24 years she had on this earth. Brave Grace Rogers said her beloved sibling had a smile that could light up any room and was inspirational to everyone around her. Hundreds of people attended the requiem Mass amid beautiful sunshine in Togher Church on Saturday. Grace recalled how Maire Claire had spent the last two weeks of her life living life to the full. She was with her boyfriend Paraic, who she adored, visiting her two favourite people in the whole world, her sister Heather and best friend Roisin, both of whom had been living in Sydney. Grace said: "Marie Claire had a smile that could light up any room, she had an infectious energy that inspired everyone around her, she wore her heart on her sleeve and it was open to everyone. "This was evident in the love she shared with the love of her life Paraic. Paraic entered our lives two years ago and the impact he made on Maire Claire and our family can't be overstated. "Every time he walked into our kitchen Maire Claire's eyes lit up. She loved nothing more than walking the beach with him." Grace said her family got great comfort from knowing their daughter and sister spent the last two weeks of her life with the people she loved most in this world - her favourite people and best friends Heather and Roisin. She said: "What an amazing two weeks they had, from a hot air balloon, to a sky dive to snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, she experienced more things in those two weeks with her best friends than most people experience in a lifetime." Marie Claire was a keen Gaelic footballer. Maire Claire works as a nurse at St Joseph's Hospital, Ardee and Grace said her smile translated so well into her nursing career as she was also caring by nature. She added: "Over the past two weeks it has been so comforting to hear how much she was adored by colleagues and patients. "Football also played a massive part in her life and the Finbarr ladies were like a family to her. "A messer in training but once she took to the field she gave 110pc every time and was instrumental in all the great successes the club has shared." Members of the club lined up to honour her as her cortege made its way both in and out of Togher Church. The Parish Priest Fr Paddy Rushe told mourners that there were "no words that can carry the weight of the moment." Marie Claire Rogers News in 90 seconds - 11th May 2025 He said: "We gather not only in mourning but also in shock, disbelief, it still feels impossible to accept that Marie Claire, so young, so full of life, so loved, is no longer with us. "Her absence leaves a silence that will echo loudly, not just in her family but in every place where her smile once lit up the room. Her voice lifted spirits and her presence brought warmth and joy." She is survived by her father Andrew, mother Mary, sisters Grace, Heather, and Frances and partner Paraic. A Go Fund page to help the County Louth family bring Maire Claire home from Australia and pay for their expenses, has raised over €143,000. Over 3,500 people contributed from all over Ireland and across the globe.
Irish Independent
11-05-2025
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‘She was an inspiration to everyone' – Sister's touching funeral eulogy for sister (24) who died in Australia
Brave Grace Rogers said her beloved sibling had a smile that could light up any room and was inspirational to everyone around her. Hundreds of people attended the requiem Mass amid beautiful sunshine in Togher Church on Saturday. Grace recalled how Maire Claire had spent the last two weeks of her life living life to the full. She was with her boyfriend Paraic, who she adored, visiting her two favourite people in the whole world, her sister Heather and best friend Roisin, both of whom had been living in Sydney. Grace said: "Marie Claire had a smile that could light up any room, she had an infectious energy that inspired everyone around her, she wore her heart on her sleeve and it was open to everyone. "This was evident in the love she shared with the love of her life Paraic. Paraic entered our lives two years ago and the impact he made on Maire Claire and our family can't be overstated. "Every time he walked into our kitchen Maire Claire's eyes lit up. She loved nothing more than walking the beach with him." Grace said her family got great comfort from knowing their daughter and sister spent the last two weeks of her life with the people she loved most in this world - her favourite people and best friends Heather and Roisin. She said: "What an amazing two weeks they had, from a hot air balloon, to a sky dive to snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, she experienced more things in those two weeks with her best friends than most people experience in a lifetime." Maire Claire works as a nurse at St Joseph's Hospital, Ardee and Grace said her smile translated so well into her nursing career as she was also caring by nature. She added: "Over the past two weeks it has been so comforting to hear how much she was adored by colleagues and patients. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more "Football also played a massive part in her life and the Finbarr ladies were like a family to her. "A messer in training but once she took to the field she gave 110pc every time and was instrumental in all the great successes the club has shared." Members of the club lined up to honour her as her cortege made its way both in and out of Togher Church. The Parish Priest Fr Paddy Rushe told mourners that there were "no words that can carry the weight of the moment." He said: "We gather not only in mourning but also in shock, disbelief, it still feels impossible to accept that Marie Claire, so young, so full of life, so loved, is no longer with us. "Her absence leaves a silence that will echo loudly, not just in her family but in every place where her smile once lit up the room. Her voice lifted spirits and her presence brought warmth and joy." She is survived by her father Andrew, mother Mary, sisters Grace, Heather, and Frances and partner Paraic. A Go Fund page to help the County Louth family bring Maire Claire home from Australia and pay for their expenses, has raised over €143,000. Over 3,500 people contributed from all over Ireland and across the globe.
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EVER bought a pot of basil from the supermarket only for it to die before you have finished using it? A savvy shopper left frustrated with it happening decided to put different shops to the test to see which basil 9 Sustainable shopper Grace Forell compared eight basil plants from different supermarkets to compare them Credit: tiktok/@graceforell 9 She was testing to see which supermarket basil plant lasted the longest over a week Credit: tiktok/@graceforell 9 She tried to keep watering and sunlight exposure the same for each plant Credit: tiktok/@graceforell Grace Forell, also known as The Sustainable Spender, compared eight potted basil plants from Morrisons, M&S, Waitrose, Lidl, Aldi, Asda, Sainsbury's, and Tesco. She put them head to head to see which stayed the freshest and which ones deteriorated the most over one week. On her 'Every plant had their sleeve removed, and was placed on identical saucers in my kitchen. More on hacks 'I rotated them every day to make sure they got a fair share of sunlight and I watered them sparingly from the bottom as per their instructions. 'The light was pretty consistent, but I moved them around each day to keep it as fair as possible.' First up was Sainsbury's, which didn't impress Grace as it had 'rotting dead leaves from day one.' Next up was Morrisons, and she said it was a 'similar story', 'despite it being one of the more expensive pots at £1.50.' Most read in Fabulous She added: 'Also, it only has a one-day freshness guarantee online, which includes the day of delivery.' Grace, who has previously shared her sustainable tips on ITV 's This Morning, shared how the 'saddest of the bunch' was Lidl's, which was the smallest, and also the joint cheapest basil plant with Aldi's. Gardening hacks to grow fruit from your weekly shop She added: 'It was sparse and virtually keeling over, but it did only cost 79p.' Meanwhile, at the other end of the scale, she was impressed with Waitrose and Tesco, which were both 'large and luscious.' Grace wasn't entirely shocked at this, given Waitrose's was the most expensive at £1.70. But which was the best? 9 Lidl's plant was the most 'disappointing' for Grace Credit: tiktok/@graceforell 9 She also wasn't too impressed with Morrisons Credit: tiktok/@graceforell 9 Sainsbury's had wilted leaves after one day for Grace Credit: tiktok/@graceforell How to make your basil last longer IT can be frustrating when your basil plants dies before you have finished it. Here are some tips to help yours last longer... Give your plant ample water, especially during hot periods Make sure it has shade during the hottest hours of the day Consider doing regular pruning, especially before flowering Winning basil Surprisingly, the Asda basil plant, which cost just £1, was the best of the brunch. She said: 'The winner was Asda. 'Look how perfect it is! 'And at only £1 it was one of the cheapest plants as well, proving that brilliant basil doesn't have to be expensive.' 9 The winner was the £1 Asda basil plant Credit: tiktok/@graceforell 9 She was impressed with how fresh the plant was after a week - especially for the cost Credit: tiktok/@graceforell 9 Waitrose and Tesco also impressed her Credit: tiktok/@graceforell Grace shared how her official ranking (from best to worst) was Asda, Tesco, Waitrose, Aldi, M&S, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, and finally Lidl being her least favourite. She added: 'Did these results surprise you?' People were quick to comment on her clip, with one saying: 'My Lidl basil was awful!' Another added: 'I got basil from Sainsbury's, split them up, planted them in individual pots. I still have them and doing well a year later.' Previously, Grace tested What is the UK's cheapest supermarket? WE'RE all looking for ways to save on our supermarket shops. But which store should you go to if you're on a strict budget? According to Which?, who compare thousands of prices at the top eight UK supermarkets - Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Waitrose - every month, there's one place that outweighs the rest in terms of being budget-friendly. In April 2024, Aldi was at the top of the list, with Which? comparing 67 popular groceries costing an average of £112.90. Lidl isn't far behind, at £115.23, followed by Asda in third place with a bill of £126.98. Tesco was next, at £128.17, while Sainsbury's rounded out the top five with £131.02.
