Vivienne McDaid’s family ‘always grateful’ to those who funded treatment

Buncrana woman Vivienne McDaid who passed away after a battle with cancer had her life extended by 17 months due to the generosity of those who contributed to the cost of her treatment in the US, her funeral has been told.

The 49-year-old from Umricam, Buncrana passed away in Boston on December 8 where she had begun treatment in July 2021 following a diagnosis in Ireland. The mother of two received specialist treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital after a fundraising campaign raised more than $200,000.

Her funeral Mass took place at St Mary’s Church in Cockhill on Monday morning which followed a Mass in St John the Baptist Church in Quincy, Massachusetts last Tuesday.

Fr Francis Bradley told mourners that Vivenne (née Lynch)  “went many more bouts than expected in her battle with a difficult disease”.

Many of the bouts were due to the “kindness and expertise of so many people” including friends and family who had helped and contributed to her fundraising campaign,” he said.

“Those who gave generously to her GoFundMe page helped to give Vivence an extra 17 months, and for that, her family will always be grateful.” 

She was always very encouraging of her children - supporting her daughter Chloe in her boxing and would be heard asking her son Damien to “drive easy”.

When she made a surprise visit home six weeks ago “her jolly nature” gave friends and family “a great lift,” Fr Bradley said.

She loved walking and was fond of routines and during her time in Boston she developed the routine of attending morning Mass on Wednesdays and Fridays as well as feeding ducks on her local river.

Viviene is survived by her husband Eamon, children Damien and Chloe, her parents Mary and Gerard, her brothers Calvin, Jason, Spencer, her sister Amanda, her parents-in-law Lily and Owen, her brothers and sisters-in-laws, nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.