A grandmother’s poetic love for Darcy

The grandmother of Loughbrickland girl Darcy Coyle, who sadly passed away recently following a long battle with a rare genetic illness, has written a moving poem in remembrance of her beloved granddaughter.
Darcy Coyle who won the Christopher Cup for Floral Art is pictured with Mum Janet © Edward Byrne Photography INBL35-209EBDarcy Coyle who won the Christopher Cup for Floral Art is pictured with Mum Janet © Edward Byrne Photography INBL35-209EB
Darcy Coyle who won the Christopher Cup for Floral Art is pictured with Mum Janet © Edward Byrne Photography INBL35-209EB

Darcy, who was a pupil at Donard School in Banbridge, was said to have brought untold joy to her mum Janet, dad Darrin, sister Jade and brother Josh. Doctors had predicted that Darcy, who suffered from Neonatal Adrenoleukodystrophy (NALD), a rare and incurable genetic condition, would not reach her tenth birthday. However, she proved to be a determined little girl, who was twelve years and five months when she passed away at Daisy Hill Hospital in the company of her parents on October 29.

The poem, entitled ‘My Darling Darcy’, was read out at the twelve-year-old’s funeral, which was held in Loughbrickland Presbyterian Church, by one of Darcy’s carers, Esther.

“Our little angel was born 3rd June this year

Among our excitement came lots of fear

Then I held her in my arms

Just wanted to protect her from all harm

As weeks and months went by I could see

She was special and loving as she could be

She will need our love, our prayers and our care

But the love she gives nothing can compare

She laughs and smiles she touches and feels

And her music and games are so important it seems

To watch her listen from ear to ear

The look on her face says yes I can hear

Her slummy cloth the laughs of delight

Her rolling in bed as we kiss her good night

God Bless my Darcy and keep her well

The reason she’s here God only can tell.”

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Rev Patricia McBride, who officiated at Darcy’s funeral, spoke of the close-knit Coyle family circle and they love they shared with Darcy. “The biggest lesson that Darcy gradually taught her parents, her big brother, her sister, family circle and an ever-widening circle of friends who were her ‘second family’, was that while she had special needs, even more – much more – she had special gifts. Indeed, that she herself IS a special gift – a very, very precious, special gift. Darcy loved to be loved and what love she helped to blossom in so many people. She has called so much love into this world – a world very much in need of love. She loved all the attention, which is really another way of saying she loved to be loved, and her family, carers, school friends and teachers just loved to love her.”

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