Miss Justice Mella Carroll was described at her funeral yesterday as having been exceptionally generous and compassionate.
Her brother, Fr Paddy Carroll, the chief celebrant, said: "Whatever it was, she gave herself totally - to her profession, to the numerous charities she was involved in, to individuals who came to her, to music, the passion of her life. She had great kindness, compassion and understanding."
Fr Carroll was speaking at the late High Court judge's funeral Mass of Thanksgiving in the Church of the Holy Name, Beechwood Avenue, Dublin.
Her other brother Milo said his sister was a courageous individual who did not complain about her illness and was always optimistic. She had had plans for her retirement - a trip to Austria with all her nieces and nephews next week and a trip on the Shannon later this year.
He said she had a distinguished legal career and set a few precedents on the way - in particular, that she was the first female High Court judge in Ireland and was on the bench for 25 years. She was involved in a number of organisations, both educational and charitable, and made a significant contribution to their work, he said.
"Mella was an exceptionally generous person and was a true lady," Mr Carroll said.
She was not married and, as she said herself, she was "an unclaimed treasure" but she held a special place for her nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. "We are very privileged to have had Mella in our lives," he said.
The congregation of family, friends, members of the judiciary, Government and the many organisations with which she was associated then held a minute's silence.
The chief mourners were her brothers, Milo and Paddy, her sister, Una McCann, and her nieces and nephews.
President Mary McAleese was represented by her aide-de camp, Capt Michael Treacy, and the Taoiseach by his aide-de-camp, Comdt Michael Murray. Tánaiste Mary Harney and Minister for Justice Michael McDowell attended.
The Chief Justice, Mr Justice John Murray, the president of the High Court, Mr Justice Joseph Finnegan, and the president of the Circuit Court, Mr Justice Matthew Deery, led the judiciary. Also present was the Attorney General Rory Brady and the chairman of the Bar Council, Hugh Mohan.
Many Supreme Court, High Court and Circuit Court judges attended, as well as barristers, court registrars and solicitors.
Miss Justice Carroll's tipstaff for 15 years, Pat Preston, was also among the mourners.
Others in the congregation included former chief justices Mr Justice Thomas Finlay and Mr Justice Ronan Keane, former president of the High Court Mr Justice Declan Costello, and retired judges Mr Justice Dermot Kinlen and Mr Justice Frank Murphy.
Tribunal chairmen Mr Justice Michael Moriarty and Mr Justice Robert Barr and the former chairman of the planning tribunal, Mr Justice Feargus Flood attended.
Others there included Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness, president of the Law Reform Commission, Prof Ferdinand von Prondzynski, president of DCU, Liam Doran of the Irish Nurses Organisation, Brendan Ryan, judicial appointments board secretary, PJ Fitzpatrick, ceo Courts Service, and Garda Inspector Ann Glennon-Moynihan.
After the Mass the cortege left for Waterville, Co Kerry, where burial will take place this morning.