IN WHAT was one of the biggest funerals New Ross has ever witnessed, hundreds thronged the parish church last Monday to pay their final respects to Sharon Butler - a woman who played a pivotal role in so many facets of New Ross life.

Sharon sadly passed away last Thursday, January 19, at Waterford Regional Hospital aged just 56 years.

In a true testament to the high esteem in which she was held and the great woman that she was, more than 1,000 mourners gathered for her Funeral Mass, which was celebrated by Fr Bernard Cushen, Fr John Hennebry, Fr Michael Collendar and Fr Roger O'neill.

Her dedication and hard work with many community groups was reflected in the guards of honour, among them members of the under-19 New Ross rugby team, the Wexford Wanderers Vixens and the staff and students from St Mary's Secondary School, that formed as her remains were carried to St Stephen's Cemetery.

As mourners listened to the many tributes paid to Sharon during her funeral, they heard how throughout her life she always met the many challenges she faced head-on. Her main focus was always her family and no matter what they always came first.

Sharon was exceptionally well-known in New Ross. The daughter of Peggy and Jim Doyle from Maiden Lane, who was a wellknown local barber, Sharon was one of six children, with brothers Dick, Martin and Jimmy and sisters Terri and the late Nina.

Following her education at St Joseph's NS and St Mary's Secondary School, Sharon moved to Basingstoke, England, to become a nurse. Sharon was an exceptionally capable and learned woman and the year she qualified she emerged top of her class. Sharon worked in Basingstoke and Southampton for a number of years after she qualified.

It will while she was home on holidays that she met her loving husband Derek from Arnestown and they were married in October 1982.

Sharon dedicated her life to her family and rearing her childrenpaul, Amanda, Patrick, Vera, Caroline, Mary, Derek, Shane and Kieran. She was their rock, their light and their inspiration.

Her children didn't just have a mother; she was also their nurse, accountant, counsellor and teacher and, most importantly, their best friend.

She always wanted what was best for them and only ever asked that they do their best. She was extremely proud of each of her children's accomplishments and achievements and they too were more than proud of her.

Among her proudest moments in life were seeing her son Derek play for the Wexford under-21 team and win a Leinster title last year and seeing her son Kieran win three caps for Ireland with the under-18 Irish rugby team. She was there to share in his joy in Berlin when he got his first cap and try for Ireland last March.

Sharon did many things for her children but she wasn't on her own. Her husband Derek was her rock, her other half, the love of her life – they were inseparable. Everything that she went through, he went through with her.

Just 11 weeks ago Sharon was overjoyed by the birth of her first grandchild Nathan, whom she simply doted upon. The months before his arrival she was knitting baby's clothing and a beautiful christening shawl for his baptism.

Sharon was very actively involved in New Ross life. The first committee she served on was New Ross Sea Scouts and from there she became involved in St Joseph's NS, the CBS Primary School and St Mary's Secondary School parents' councils. Through her involvement in the schools' parents council she was elected onto the county branch of the National Parents Council. She was also heavily involved in the Old Folks Club. With the committees she served on her natural leadership qualities shone through and she served as chairwoman on most of them.

One of her main aims while on the CBS parents' council was to see the town's new primary schools built. She campign tirelessly for years for such an educational development and would have loved to see that project come to fruition.

She worked in New Ross Library for a time and was also involved in the Rugby Club, coached basketball in St Joseph's NS, as well as helping out with arts, crafts and knitting in the school.

Among her hobbies were reading, particularly murder mysteries, and she also loved running and participating in table quizzes.

Never one to sit still, Sharon went back to college to study computers for two years at New Ross Vocational College, which she thoroughly enjoyed.

Sharon's door was always open and she was readily gave advice on any issue. She was the Florence Nightingale of New Ross as many people would ask her for advice on all matters medical.

It was no different with her own illness, kidney disease. Sharon often went to hospital and told them what was wrong with her and after much discussion and tests it emerged she would have been right all along.

Sharon was waiting on a kidney transplant for eight years and was ill for quite some time, simply because she fought it so hard, beat it back again and again and wouldn't quit.

Kidney disease wasn't a chain for Sharon. Instead dialysis became a challenge of ' how many campsites in Ireland I can travel to and do my dialysis there'. From Donegal to Achill and Carne Beach to Dingle she loved travelling to every county in Ireland camping.

Sharon bore her illness with great courage and dignity. She was always in great spirits and an inspiration to many. She was a very loving woman, who left behind a wonderful legacy.

Her passing is now deeply mourned by her loving husband Derek, her children, brothers, sister, grandchild Nathan, daughter-inlaw Linda, brothers and sisters- in- law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

May she rest in peace. Contact: 086 3507882 A BEAUTIFUL terrier and three lovely cats are up for adoption this week.

Paddy, a one-year-old terrier, was handed in to the care of the SPCA, who are now looking to find a suitable home for him. He is a lovely dog, with a temperament to match. A home check by the SPCA will be necessary before he is rehomed.

Meanwhile, Kitty, who is a year-old black cat; Molly, who is a six-month-old tortoiseshell cat; and Billy who is a two-yearold, neutered, tabby tom cat; are also all up for adoption.

To adopt any of these pets please contact the SPCA on 086 3507882.