"Eileen refused to allow MND define her" mourners at Julianstown woman's funeral told

Mourners at the funeral of a Julianstown mother-of-four who passed away after a brave battle with MND( Motor Neurone Disease) were told that she refused to be defined by the illness.

Eileen Butler sadly lost her battle with MND on Sunday having been diagnosed with the condition just two years ago.

She had bravely shared her journey since her diagnosis and became an ambassador for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association.

In a moving ceremony held in St. Mary’s Church, Julianstown on Friday morning the congregation was told that the test of a person was how they react or change in the face of serious illness.

"In Eileen's case, her wonderful warmth, love, kindness and care never faltered, but amazingly deepened and was purified," said the celebrant.

"Eileen's beautiful spirit just kept reaching out to others as it had always done, no complaining, no asking why me, no self pity, no anger projected unto others as the family mentioned in the house the other evening, Eileen refused to let MND define her in any way," he added.

Symbols representing of Eileen's life were brought to the alter including a photo of her four children who were "her pride and joy," Eileen's mobile phone and notepad which were her means of communication with her friends and family in the last few months and knitting needles and ball of wool, representing her passion for knitting and crocheting.

Also brought to the alter was Eileen's favourite mug, symbolising her "love for chit chat and a cup of tea."

Chief mourners at the funeral were husband Joe, children Aoife, Joseph, Thomas and Cillian, parents Breda and Joe and sisters Martina, Joanne, Sarah and Phillipa and best friend Aileen.

The funeral mass was told of how although Eileen faced many challenges of the last couple of years she always thought of how she could others.

"There was so much to do, so much good work to continue, so many people to be encouraged and supported, so many causes to be promoted, so much fundraising and public awareness to promote.

"As in the often quoted line from that inaugural address, even before Eileen was born, ask not what your country can do for you. Rather ask what you can do for your country, wouldn't that be and is a motto for Eileen."

Eileen had been an inspiring figure in the MND community sharing her journey after receiving a shock diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease just two years ago.

Last year Eileen even told of how she was benefiting from a new voice-banking service supported by the fundraising efforts of Charlie Bird.

Speaking in 2023 just months after learning that she had the disease, the mum of four said:

"For me this diagnosis was literally a bolt out of the blue. I went from being a typical mother, wife, running a household, not smoking, drinking very little, trying to eat well, to being told I have a terminal illness.

"I guess with all terminal illness diagnoses, you first of all just go into complete shock. You start asking all the questions, why do I have this, how can this be happening to me, what did I do etc.

"Telling your family and especially telling your children news like this is probably one of the hardest things a parent has to do. But we are a family that speaks about lots of things and through talking about it we are getting through it. I am very lucky that my parents and sisters all live near me and they have been a great help and support."

Eileen began to notice changes in her body and speech in late 2022 .

"I began to notice a change in some words I said around December of last year," she explained at the time. At first I thought that it was due to a bit of stress of tiredness but as time went by my husband and children began to notice my words were not clear."

After a number of appointments and tests Eileen was diagnosed by a neurologist in Beaumont Hospital with MND later being confirmed by Professor Orla Hardiman.

She said the support of family and friends was keeping her positive and grateful.

"I am here and I am well for now and for that I am grateful," she said. " I have a brilliant family and have brilliant friends and they will keep me going even though they are struggling with this themselves.

"I’m not looking too far into the future now. Someone said to me that they were sorry that this was happening to me, but I said don’t be. I now know what is happening with me, I can prepare things and do things that I have always wanted to do, now.

"But people are killed on our roads every day and never had the chance to do what they always dreamed of doing.

"All the little things that we worry about in life all seem so ridiculous when you’ve been told you have a terminal illness. Don’t put off things that you want to do until next year, if you can do it now, do it. The future is not guaranteed to anyone, live for today and enjoy."

Eileen urged people to take heed to changes in their bodies as early diagnosis is key.

"I urge people to keep a check on any changes they may be having with regards to their limbs, their speech, their swallow and also now there has been research showing that MND can also affect your cognitive and behavioral functions. I know it is certainly not a disease I would wish on anyone but there is a huge amount of support out there when you have been diagnosed."