The community of Meath recently gathered for a heartbreaking farewell, as they laid to rest a beloved school teacher, Aoife Bird (née Oates), and her newborn daughter, Ailbhe. Aoife, originally from Co. Waterford, tragically passed away from a sudden illness just a day after her precious baby Ailbhe also died.
Aoife was an inspiring educator at Ashbourne Community School, where she taught Spanish, Business, and Special Educational Needs. Her funeral mass at St Brigid’s Church saw mourners pay tribute to a vibrant young woman who touched many lives. She was remembered as “motivated,” an “inspiration to her students,” and a person whose spirit shone brightly.
Her sister, Róisín, shared deeply moving words, describing Aoife as “strong, determined, stubborn in the best way, but she was also too good, too gentle, too pure for this world.” Róisín promised that Aoife’s legacy would live on, and her son Daithí would always know how proud his mammy was of him. The solace in their grief was the thought that “baby Ailbhe is in your arms forever.”
Tributes like a Kilkenny jersey, Aoife’s showjumping jacket, and photos of her family and friends painted a picture of a life lived fully and passionately. The eulogy highlighted her devotion to her family—husband Jim, son Daithí, and her parents Margaret and Peter—and how her siblings had inherited her kindness and motivation. Aoife was celebrated as a light to her students, a fun colleague, and a keen competitor in showjumping.
This profound loss has resonated deeply, but the outpouring of love and support from across Waterford, Kilkenny, and Ashbourne ensures that the memory of Aoife and Ailbhe will be cherished, forever embraced by their loving community.
Source: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/mother-buried-alongside-newborn-daughter-36341556
