Tributes paid to 'kind and selfless' young Dublin woman who died in London
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Tributes have been paid to an "incredibly smart, talented, warm and kind" young Dublin woman who died "unexpectedly" in London last month.
Úna O'Rourke, originally from Lucan but living in London for the past number of years, passed away at her home on Sunday, April 20. A death notice posted on rip.ie remembered Una as "a beloved daughter of Damhnait and Dermot and dear sister to Síomha, Aedín and her brother-in-law Cathal".
"Úna's passing is a huge loss to the family," the notice stated, adding that Una's untimely passing is "deeply regretted by her wider family; aunts, uncles, cousins and her good friends in both the UK and Ireland."
Una graduated with first-class honours in Theoretical Physics and Mathematics from Maynooth University in 2012, and went on to become a lecturer and researcher at the Kildare university before she moved to London in 2017, Irish Mirror reports.
In 2024, Una joined market research company The Insights Family, and in January of this year she was appointed Customer Success Manager. Friends, family and acquaintances have paid tribute to the popular young Dubliner, who has been remembered as a "kind, warm and selfless soul".
One tribute said: "My heartfelt sympathies to all of you on the passing of your beautiful Una. Una was such a clever and funny person. I think I always felt like I couldn't keep up with her. She always had an even funnier comment whenever I thought I might have made a good comeback. I will miss her deeply."
Another mourner added: "What a beautiful tribute to Úna, one of the most intelligent and talented people I have ever been fortunate enough to know. When I remember her, I remember us singing songs from Wicked and Hairspray in the hallways of Coláiste Cois Life. She was never without a song. My utmost sympathies to her family and love from Germany."
A colleague of Una's at The Insight Family said: "A fellow member of the TIF London office, it was a pleasure to have known and worked with Una. A kind, warm and selfless soul, quick and witty, with an infectious laugh and sense of humour who will be dearly missed. Deepest condolences to Una's family who she told stories of in such glowing light. Rest in peace, Una.
Another friend added: "My deepest condolences to Úna's family and close friends for such a terrible loss. I knew Úna since University and remember her as incredibly smart, talented, warm and kind. We lost touch in more recent years but I'm glad to have so many photos to look back on. I was really saddened to hear of the loss of such a special person as Úna, my thoughts are with you at this difficult time."
While a fifth person said: "I'm so sorry to hear about Una's passing - my heart goes out to all her friends and family. She had a genuine heart and was so smart and witty, it is such a tragic loss to lose her so young. May you rest in peace, Una."
Una's funeral mass was held St. Patrick's Church in Esker, Lucan on Tuesday morning, followed by burial in Esker Lawn Cemetery.
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