RIP Laura Buckley Noonan
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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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A dream trip to Canada has ended in heartbreak for the family of Irish woman Maura Heffernan, who died after suffering a sudden brain haemorrhage just days into her “trip of a lifetime” holiday.
Maura, originally from Kilkee, Co Clare and living in Templeglantine, Co Limerick, had flown to Calgary, Alberta, to surprise her daughter Karen and grandchildren Aaron, Darren and Susan.
The 65-year-old collapsed in the early hours of Thursday morning and tragically passed away on Sunday night.
Speaking to Limerick Live, Maura’s son-in-law Stephen Curtin described how the family had rushed to her aid after hearing a noise and initially believed she was having a stroke. It was later confirmed she had suffered a significant bleed on both sides of the brain.
“She was a superstar,” Stephen said, describing the family’s shock at her sudden passing.
Maura had no known underlying health conditions and had been cleared to travel after back surgery last year.
In the days after the medical emergency, Maura’s family launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover mounting hospital bills and repatriation costs.
While the original fundraiser was created in the hope of bringing Maura home to spend her final days in Ireland, it will now go towards ensuring she gets the “send-off she deserves.”
The family wrote on the GoFundMe page set up before Maura passed: “Our family is so very appreciative of all your amazing support. Mum would be happy to know we are surrounded by such caring people.
“Our mum suffered a sudden brain hemorrhage on Thursday 20th March only 6 days into her holiday. Unfortunately she will not recover from this.”
At the time of writing, the GoFundMe campaign had raised €36,802 of the €50,000 goal from 842 donations since the fundraiser launched three days ago.
Maura had worked as a shop steward at the Kostal factory in Abbeyfeale for over 20 years before retiring last year.
She is survived by her mother, Mary O’Gorman, her husband, Gerard, her children, Helen, Dominic, Karen, Lynda, Colin, and her many beloved grandchildren.
To support the family, donations can be made via the GoFundMe page by clicking HERE.
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