Special Olympics Ireland leads tribute to pioneering Laois woman

Special Olympics Ireland has paid one of many tributes to a Laois woman who has been described as a pioneer for the movement of Ireland.

Bernadette (Bern) McRedmond, Knockanina, Mountrath and late of Grove House, Abbeyleix died on January 14 peacefully surrounded by family in the loving care of staff at the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise.

She was predeceased by her parents Bernie and Sheila, recently deceased sister Sheila, brothers Liam and Christy.

Bernadette was deeply regretted and will be sadly missed by her sisters Mary (Moore), Margaret (Boyhan), Kathleen (Mulhall) and Chris, her brothers Michael, Frank and Donal, aunt Maidie (McGill), carer Evelyn, sisters in law, brothers in law, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, extended family, relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Among those to also mourn her passing was Special Olympics movement in Ireland. The Laois woman was a member of the first Irish Special Olympics Team in 1979. She competed in the Special Olympics in New York where she won a Bronze medal for Ireland.

Its CEO paid tribute on www.rip.ie

"On behalf of all at Special Olympics Ireland, I want to express our deepest sympathies to the immediate and extended family of Bern McRedmond," said Matt English.

"May she RIP and be fondly remembered. Bern represented Team Ireland at the 1979 Special Olympics World Games in the USA and was one of the early pioneer athletes. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this sad time. May Bernadette Rest in Peace,” said the tribute.

Many other tributes were paid including a special message from the Laois Arch Club who said she was was a beloved member of the  Club for over 30 years making many friends along the way.

"Bernie will be remembered for so many lovely things. Her excitement at meeting her friends in the Arch Club every month. Bernie would talk nineteen to the dozen in a rush to tell you all her news the minute she saw you!

"Her great sense of humour; Bernie was always up for the craic and any bit of devilment. She loved having a laugh or a joke and had the heartiest of laughs that was so infectious.

"Her love of music and dance; Bernie adored music of all kinds and always carried a set of earphones and a mini CD player, ipod, or, in recent years, her iPhone in her handbag which was always hanging around her neck, despite the weight! Bernie would listen to her music at top volume, singing and dancing along to it with a huge smile on her face.

"Her love of jewellery, especially long dangly earrings! Her love of shoes, especially runners. We called her Imelda Marcos because she had so many! Her beautiful smile which lit up her face. Her great big, warm hugs.

"All of our members and volunteers would like to send sincere condolences to Bernie’s family. May Bernie’s gentle soul rest in peace. We are really going to miss her beautiful smile and those warm hugs," concluded the Club tribute.

Her remains were reposed at Guilfoyle's Funeral Home in Castletown on Wednesday, January 15 before removal to St Edmund's Church, Castletown on Thursday for Funeral Mass followed by burial in St Fintan's Cemetery, Mountrath.

The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to all carers and staff who looked after Bernadette throughout her life.