STEPHENSON

STEPHENSON (Sam) (Leixlip, Co. Kildare) - On this, the first anniversary of our beloved Sam's death, Sam's wife Caroline and their sons Sebastian and Zachary and Sam's extended family would like to take the opportunity to thank people for all the love and support we received at the time of Sam's death - Fr Enda McDonagh, for his beautiful Requiem Mass and for always being a friend, and concelebrants Fr Michael Hurley and Fr Philip Corcoran of Leixlip Parishes, Gardiner Street Church for all their help providing a magnificent venue for Sam's funeral, David Fanagan and Fanagans Funeral Directors for a most sensitive and professional service at such a difficult time. All those who helped with the funeral arrangements, particularly Kevin Kelly, John Stephenson and John Mulcahy, St Columba's College Choir and Paddy Moloney. We acknowledge particular appreciation and gratitude to Sebastian and Zachary's schools, Rathgar Junior School and St Columba's College, their fantastic support meant so much to the boys and to Caroline. Very special thanks also to Sam's doctors, Dr Ian Graham, Dr Derek Freedman and Dr Vincent Young and the staff and medical teams of Tallaght Hospital and St James's Hospital. Thank you to all those who attended Sam's removal and Requiem Mass, with special appreciation of the many who travelled long distances to attend. Big thank you to all those who wrote so many wonderful letters expressing love and admiration for Sam which were of great comfort, still are, will be treasured and will be responded to one day! Thank you to all those who sent Mass cards, those who phoned, and those who called to the house, all the love and kindness we were given meant so much to us and helped greatly in the awful days at the time of Sam's death. Heartfelt thank you to all for all. Special acknowledgement to Caroline's twin Michele, who has held Caroline's hand every day, if not hour of this past nightmare year, and Caroline's wonderful mother Barbara, without both of whom we would not have survived the year. Special thanks to all our family members, particularly Patrick and Rosemary, David, Rachel, Christopher and Tim, who have been so supportive and most especially at the time of Sam's death. A special thank you too to those friends who have continued to be with us since Sam's death and who have helped to keep us going. The heart does not know the meaning of time, just as love knows no age barriers, and for us it is like yesterday that Sam was taken from us. We miss him most minutes if not seconds of every day, we miss the unique, loving, kind, maddening sometimes! dynamic person who was the vital centre of our lives, The truly exceptional human being who was our best friend and the best husband and father in the whole world - loving you always, Sam - Caroline, Sebastian, Zachary."Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam".