Kildalkey community rallies around the Fleming family after brave youngster who defied all the odds passes away
Brave Réailtín, a daughter of Joan and John Fleming and brother to Rian died last night (Monday) surrounded by her devoted family just a week short of her eighth birthday.
The kind-hearted community of Kildalkey have rallied around the family at this desperately sad time.
Réailtín mercifully got to celebrate Christmas, their second festive celebration of the year. When the brave seven-year-old was very ill last August, her worried family feared she wouldn't make it to 25th December, and decided to bring the festive season forward to September.
The family got together, planning everything to perfection and it was quite a celebration with a Christmas tree, presents, Christmas dinner and even a snow machine. The Flemings then got to celebrate it all again on 25th December.
Réailtín, whose name means 'Little Star', proved to be a real fighter. She wasn't expected to survive more than a month or two after she was born, but defied all odds and celebrated her seventh birthday last January.
She was born with Trisomy Mosaic 9 and Dandy Walker Syndrome, with holes in her heart. She was also deaf and blind.
She entered her family's lives in 2016, immediately stealing their hearts. Unfortunately she was born with a bewildering myriad of debilitating conditions, which led doctors to predict she would live just a few months at most.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to support the family financially through this desperately sad period and will remain open for another week.
Neighbour and organiser Ursula O'Connor said the community was fundraising for their “beautiful little princess” Réailtín.
“As friends of the family, would love to try and help them during this extremely difficult time and take some of the financial burden from them. Anything, you could give, no matter how big or small would be greatly appreciated.
Her dad, John said: “For her doting mum, her loving big brother and the proudest of proud fathers, whilst utterly relieved that her lifeforce is no longer in pain, our pain has now begun in earnest.”
Réailtín will be reposing at her home in The Meadows, Kildalkey on Wednesday from 1 to 4pm and Thursday from 4 to 7pm and a Resomation Service to celebrate Réailtín's life will take place on Friday at 2.30pm in Pure Reflections Resomarium, Abbeylands, Navan.
“All are welcome to what will be a celebration of her life, not a mourning. Bright colour clothing is desired.”
Her family has asked for donations in lieu of flowers to be given to the local SVP or Laura Lynn.