Family of mum who died after cancer battle say she will be ‘forever in our hearts’

Twenty-eight-year-old Jacinta (Cinta) McDonnell passed away at Dublin’s Mater Hospital during the early hours of Sunday morning following a courageous battle with illness.

Glowing tributes to the popular Longford woman poured in over the weekend ahead of her funeral mass which was held at an emotionally charged St Mel’s Cathedral today.

Inside, numerous mourners wore pink shirts in memory of the fun-loving “daddy’s girl” with others sporting white custom made t-shirts as floral tributes surrounded the altar.

Among them included poignant decorative displays that read “mammy”, “best friend” and “wife”.

Cinta’s great-aunt, Nancy Gavin, in reading out a moving tribute from her distraught parents Mary and William, told of how the young mother’s mere presence had a smile that would “light up any room” she graced.

“She lived her life for her family especially her husband Ned and their three beautiful children,” she said, adding her zest for life knew no bounds.

“Whenever you needed a laugh or a chat, Cinta was the one to go to.”

“Cinta was a daddy’s girl, she was her mother’s best friend and would ring multiple times a day and at night for a chat with her father, mother, sisters and brothers.”

Mourners were likewise told of how the karaoke-loving Longford native valiantly battled for many months against severe illness.

“You were the bravest girl, you never let the sickness get you down,” added Nancy.

“You fought this battle to the end and we will always be forever proud of you, our beautiful daughter.

“You always wanted to be a celebrity, well my girl your wish came true. You would have loved all the fuss.

“We will love and miss you forever, our beautiful princess. God gained the most beautiful angel in heaven. You will never be forgotten Cinta, you will forever be in our hearts. You will always be our hero.”

Cinta’s sister-in-law Joanna Stokes fought back tears as she alluded to how those closest to her will remember the young Longford woman both now and into the future.

“There won’t be a day when we won’t mention your name, Cinta,” she added.

“We miss you and will love you forever.”

Following funeral mass, a large convoy of mourners and sympathisers followed the cortege through the town ahead of burial to Ballymacormack Cemetery.

The late Cinta McDonnell is survived by her her husband Ned, daughters Sherri, Shantia and Milana, mother Mary, father William, sisters Samantha, Shakira, Charmaine and Mia, brothers William, Brandon, Nathan and Leon, mother-in-law Mary, father-in-law Paddy, grandmother, granddad, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.