Lisa Murphy was “endlessly fascinating, classy, dignified and serene, the true definition of a lady”, her funeral Mass was told.
The Mass in St John the Evangelist Church in Ballinteer, Dublin, was attended by well-known figures from the world of show business and entertainment, including her former partners, the dancer Michael Flatley and the solicitor Gerald Kean.
Ms Murphy, aged 51, died on February 1st, having received a cancer diagnosis in 2018.
As the coffin of the former beauty salon owner and model was carried into the church, soloist Katy Kelly gave a rendition of A Woman’s Heart, made famous by Eleanor McEvoy and Mary Black.
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The principal mourners were Ms Murphy’s parents Des and Eileen, her brother Noel, sister Kira, nieces Sophia, Alanna, Megan and nephews Charlie, Josh and Louis, her brother-in-law Gavin and sister-in-law Shiona.
They were welcomed to the church by Msgr Paul Callan.
In a eulogy, Ms Murphy’s younger brother Noel said his “big sis” had looked after her late brother Paul who had special needs and had been a beloved aunt who played tirelessly with her six nieces and nephews. She loved to give them beautiful clothes and make up and had a special “auntie hug” for them all, he said.
“In her 51 years Lisa lived a life so full of love and energy, that was so vibrant that everyone who came in contact with her instantly fell in love with her,” he said.
“Lisa, we love you and I promise you through myself, mum, dad, Kira and all your six babies, we’ll remember and talk about you forever.”
One of the symbols of her life which was brought to the alter by her nieces and nephews was Ms Murphy’s favourite pink hat, which - the congregation was told - made her look so young that she had once been asked for identification.
Other symbols included her Fitbit, to demonstrate her love of exercise; and her comfort food - a bag of cheesy popcorn. A large bar of chocolate was included to represent her status as a “chocoholic”, and her favourite Louis Vuitton handbag symbolising her love of fashion.
The funeral heard many examples of Ms Murphy’s care and consideration for others including a story of how she would arrive in St Vincent’s hospital in a beautifully co-ordinated outfit for her cancer treatment, and never fail to ask the nurses how they were keeping.
The funeral readings were from Ezekiel, “as a shepherd looks after his scattered flock” read by Ms Murphy’s niece Megan; and a reading from the second letter of St Paul to Timothy, “I have fought the good fight”.
Msgr Callan told the congregation that it was clear Ms Murphy had tremendous qualities of love and kindness and possibly the best way to remember and commemorate her would be to take one of her traits and put it into action in their own lives every day.
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