Farewell little Sheena, a light in Naas Community has dimmed.

News filtered through this morning of the sudden death of little Sheena Walshe, late of Kingfurze, Naas.

A daughter of Mary and Vinnie Walshe, Sheena was at the heart of all local events in Naas and her passing has stunned the wider community.

Only last week, I bumped into Sheena and her mother Mary at the Osprey Hotel when Naas Musical Society presented ‘A Celebration of Music’. The first person I met annually at Naas Trader’s Tent in Punchestown during national hunt week was always the bold Sheena.

The Walshe family at Naas Trader's Tent, Punchestown

“Howya Shauna” I called out a few years back. “It’s SHEENA, get it right!” she retorted, not a bit shy about giving me a lecture. Last April, she was proud to show off her nephew Douglas, son of her sister Tara, looking dapper dressed in a Healy-Ray waistcoat and cap.

Sheena knew everyone and everyone knew Sheena. To her parents, Vinnie and Mary who are so civic minded, and to sister Tara and brother Ronan, this is a dreadfully sad loss.

With brother Ronan (right) and neighbour, PJ

Mum Mary was an award winner at Kildare People of the Year Awards for her incredible parish work, with the Scout movement and with Down Syndrome Kildare branch of which she is a committee member and Co-ordinator of DS Kildare Latch-on Adult Literacy Programme.

Vinnie is a renowned musician of Naas band, Rossa and was for years, the right hand man to the late Cllr Willie Callaghan, Grand Marshall of Naas Easter Parade. Only recently, Vinnie was one of the judging panel of Naas GAA Broadway Challenge and you’d see Sheena at all these events, first in and enjoying the craic at every opportunity.

Sheena with family friend, the late Cllr Willie Callaghan and Willie's daughter, Lorraine on her wedding day.

A former student of St Mary’s College, Naas, Sheena’s integration through secondary school and within the voluntary sector of Naas Town and the wider Kildare community epitomised the importance of social inclusion for persons with special needs.