The late Vicky Phelan’s father has shared his appreciation for the tributes he has seen following his daughter’s death.
CervicalCheck campaigner Vicky tragically passed away last week, and since then many have been commemorating her and her incredible activism.
In particular, The Support for Nurses, Midwives and Frontline Staff in Ireland, who shared a kind tribute to Vicky following her death.
The group wrote on their Facebook page: “One of Vickys favourite places was the west coast of Ireland where she used to love spending time in her holiday home. She often talked of walking the beach which she adored to do or simply watching waves as they either crashed in to the shore or on soft days, rolled gently onto the beach.”
“It was the simple things that meant the most to Vicky. Spending time with her children and her loved ones and watching in awe at the beauty of nature. Absorbing and making the most of every precious moment that she had left in this world.”
Continuing: “We all know that Vicky was that wave who came crashing in when there was desperate wrong doing to her and to so many other women in Ireland. She brought to light the cervical scandal. She was not going to shut up and go away quietly as they had hoped she would do.”
“The powers that be had met their match in Vicky Phelan. She fought to the very end to stay alive for as long as she could and she fought to the end for every person in Ireland who were and who could be failed by our health service. In doing so she saved hundreds of lives.”
“We all watched in awe and admiration of her and her bravery. She was as beautiful and yet as strong as those waves she so loved. But Vicky was also the gentle wave that rolls on to the beach.. she comforted and reassured all of us. She opened our eyes to the best things in life and she taught us to appreciate them. She inspired all of us. Vicky Phelan was and is our hero!
Our little island is yet again mourning the loss of another woman to cancer. It’s made all the harder by knowing their deaths might possibly have been avoided…..”
“We can only pray that this dreadful situation may never ever be allowed to happen or to be covered up again. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts Vicky. In all of our hearts you shall remain.”
Finishing with a poem from Ellen Brememan.
The powerful tribute moved many, recieving over 28 thousand likes. But it was particularly touching for Vicky’s father John.
The Limerick many reached out and send the group a kind message, after seeing their heartfelt commemoration, thanking them for the kind words.
He wrote: ” I never thought you could feel so lonely surrounded by so many in the last few days since our beautiful daughter Vicky passed away but for all the beautiful tributes we have received and this is a very special one.”
“I would like to thank you very much for the high esteem in which you hold our daughter and the grief we share at this difficult time.”
“Regards to all who Posted some beautiful comments on this article also. Vicky’s Dad.”
Vicky tragically passed away at the age of 48, last week.
She died in the early hours of the morning at Milford Hospice in Limerick.
Vicky was integral in the campaign to help the women who were wrongly diagnosed during the CervicalCheck scandal.
She was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2014 after her 2011 smear test showed no abnormalities.
