A seafront memorial in Delgany, Ireland
An account of the day by Helen Reynolds
On the 11th of May Rebecca’s family held a celebration of her life in Florida, the following day on the other side of the world there was a gathering of people who would have loved to but for various reasons could not make this event. Rebecca’s extended family and the family she chose for herself in Ireland came together on a beach in Delgany to pay tribute to this truly amazing and captivating person we were all so lucky to have known.
These gents drove Rebecca to so many dull hospitals all over Dublin. They delivered everything from sheets to dehumidifers to her house. They cooked five star meals and baked delicious birthday cakes. They also look great in Orange - Jessica
Teresa and Sheila organised and hosted this event and in doing so provided us all with a beautiful setting to remember and share stories about Rebecca. The area where we all gathered was awash with Rebecca’s power colour orange, Sheila provided orange t-shirts and the orange lanterns were swaying in the breeze. I like to think Rebecca had a hand in ensuring the sun stayed out the duration of it.
John read a beautiful tribute to Rebecca that so eloquently voiced how a lot of us felt. More of us spoke about what Rebecca had meant to us, what an amazing person she was, the dignity and strength she possessed, her wonderful sense of fun and adventure which was infectious to those around her. We reminisced of the crazy times we’d shared and the hilarious situations that only Becks could get herself into. We spoke of the amazing strength Becks has always shown but especially in this last year and how in turn she has given us the strength to cope with not having her here with us.
At Rebecca’s request there was to be lots of singing and dancing and we all happily obliged. Neil and Jennifer performed a beautiful rendition of Country Roads, a favourite song of Rebecca’s. We then danced like a bunch of eejits to the Spice Girls and Rebecca’s other favourite songs, I’m sure she was looking at all the flailing arms and legs that was our dancing, challenging us all to a dance off in her head. So we continued to dance, drink champagne and swap stories about our wonderful friend into the night. There were of course a few tears but mainly smiles and laughter because I don’t think it’s possible to talk about Rebecca without a smile coming to your face.
To quote one of my favourite books Tuesdays with Morrie, “Love is how you stay alive, even after you’re gone”. Rebecca you will always be alive in the hearts and minds of all that gathered in Greystones that night and in so many more across the world.
Rebecca’s Great-aunt (Teresa and Miriam’s mother) Pearl Hynes in her orange best
Video of the Ceremony
Helen Reynolds met Rebecca in Melbourne in 2008, and they lived together with Hannah for a while. Rebecca traveled to Ireland to attend Helen’s wedding to Alan, and the newlyweds visited us in Bangkok.
