Family cherish happy memories

The family of local girl Darcy Coyle, who sadly passed away last Tuesday following a battle with a rare genetic illness, remember their fun loving daughter and all the good times they shared together.
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 made the most of her twelve years, having plenty of fun and fulfilling her dream of visiting Disneyland in Paris.

Darcy had complex medical needs - she couldn’t speak, walk, see or hear fully and was the only sufferer with the condition in the whole of the UK that the family knew of - but her mum Janet said her wide smile and infectious laughter brightened up their lives like nothing else.

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The mother-of-three gave up her business in Country Fried Chicken in Dromore to become a full-time carer for her youngest daughter. And together with her husband and children Jade and Joshua, provided a loving and supportive home for Darcy.

Doctors had predicted that Darcy, who also attended Donard School in Banbridge, would not live past ten years of age so when she reached that milestone two years ago, the family arranged a special girlie birthday party.

Surpassing all expectations, Darcy lived well past her tenth birthday and even had the opportunity to travel to Disneyland Paris for the holiday of a lifetime, thanks to the Make a Wish Foundation.

Speaking after their return home from Disneyland five years ago, Darcy’s mother Janet said it was a very special time.

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She added: “We took plenty of pictures and video footage of Darcy watching the Disney parade and she really loved every minute of it.”

In fact, the experience was so fantastic, that the Janet and Darcy returned to the magic kingdom two years ago with Donard School.

The school organised a fundraising drive and raised the money to take Darcy and her mum, as well as other children, to Paris.

The trip was organised by school principal Edel Lavery and her staff, with children, some parents, teachers and a doctor setting off for Paris to take in the sights and sounds of Disneyland and meet all their favourite movie characters.

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It is memories like these that Darcy’s family will treasure for the rest of their lives.

Speaking after the funeral, which was held last week in Loughbrickland Presbyterian Church, Janet said: “Those were special times. Every day we had with Darcy was a blessing.”

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