Brave Liz Kavanagh ‘never craved the limelight but shined the brightest of them all’ as she was remembered for her legacy at her funeral mass.

Hundreds of mourners gathered in St Patrick’s Church, Cortoon to pay their final respects to Liz, who passed away on Sunday after losing her battle with colon cancer.

Almost eight weeks ago, Liz was given the tragic news by doctors that she only had weeks to live. She married her longtime love, Kieran O’Malley, days later, and the couple enjoyed more than seven happy weeks together as man and wife.

A heartbroken Kieran told the congregation: ‘I couldn’t sleep last night trying to think what to say, and then I thought this morning when I sat down to write this, no matter what I say, Liz will be proud to me, so if it’s rubbish, it’s her fault,’ he said jokingly.

Kieran said Liz was a ‘truly special daughter, sister, godmother, friend, person.’

‘Her legacy won’t be defined by the horrible illness that took her, but by the profound effect she had in the lives of everyone she met and 1000s more.

‘Her courage and bravery in fighting the battle, the way she shared her journey was nothing short of inspirational. I have lost count of the number of messages from people whose lives have genuinely been changed because of sharing her message.

‘I got such pride reading one national newspaper article after her passing, which said Liz has urged people to listen to their bodies and speak up about any health issue they encounter. It’s beautiful. She’s still spreading that positive message after her passing.

‘From her first date on October 2, 2021, at the prophetically named ‘No Time to Die’, things were just easy with Liz. There was no drama, no nonsense.’

Kieran said Liz ‘fit seamlessly’ into his life.

‘She fit seamlessly into my life, loved by my friends, adored by my family, tolerated by the cat. It was lovely to meet past teachers, colleagues, and housemates of Liz last night and hear beautiful stories about my angel, one recurring story was what an incredible baker she was.

‘I obviously brought her to too many dinners and fancy hotels, because I didn’t see any of that baking,’ he said jokingly.

‘Liz was my number one supporter, as she was for many others. She never craved the limelight but often shone brightest of all.

‘One thing that’s been a lovely comfort in recent days is one of the many lessons that Liz has taught me. Take the photo, don’t worry who’s looking, just take that photograph from the 38 photos in her room in Galway Hospice that the incredible three amigos, Ashley, Elaine, and Tamara. In the coming days, weeks, and months, these will become even more special.

‘So, remember that, please. We were only together four and a half years, married for seven weeks, but it’s not about the length of time, it was about the love and happiness we squeezed into that time.’

Kieran read out a poem from a nurse who treated Liz, before emotionally adding: ‘Thank you for making this world a better place.’

Father Pat Farragher said when he visited her at Galway’s Hospice, he said she ‘continued to radiate her beautiful, bright smile’ in the room despite her battle.

He said: ‘Yet even in the midst of this sorrow, we remember with gratitude the courage and grace that Liz showed throughout her illness.

‘When I visited her in the university hospital early in the spring, she continued to radiate her beautiful, bright smile and quiet strength in the face of very difficult circumstances.

He said jokingly: ‘I let on I was coming in to recruit her for the choir, she was pushing a hard bargain.’

‘She had great courage and spirit to all who visited her later in the Galway Hospice,’ he added.

The parish priest said he first met Liz while she was organising her aunt Kathleen Finnegan’s funeral.

‘She was involved in planning the funeral and contributed so beautifully through music that day. I still remember her rendition of Ave Maria, and the hymn we sang at the beginning today, The Arms of the Angels.

‘She sang them beautifully here in this church in February 2024 a truly moving tribute to her aunt Kathleen.’

That same recording was played in the church on Wednesday at her funeral.

He said a few days later he visited the family home and ‘complimented Liz on her beautiful voice.’

‘As always, she responded with great modesty, but her mother, Eileen, quickly stepped in to remind us of where all the talent had come from. Where would she leave it? So she and her mother, a good singer, before her. And while Eileen continues her valued place in the choir here in Cortoon, I think we can all agree that Liz’s voice on that day was something very special.’

He added that Liz gave ‘so generously, so quietly of herself’.

Her sister Bernie introduced symbols to the altar, which included an engineering degree, Liz’s mobile phone, a Blazer Candle she designed with her husband Kieran, a wedding cake designed by Liz and a wedding photograph of Kieran and Liz.

Liz was buried afterwards in Cortoon Cemetery in Galway.