A year ago this month, Brian Dowling got the shocking news that his mother, Rosie, had died. He was in Los Angeles at the time and faced a long journey home to Rathangan, where he would be told his mother had died of Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS). Brian sat down with Ray D’Arcy this afternoon – joined by his sister, Michelle – to tell Ray about his mother and the funds they are raising for the Mater Family Screening Clinic.
Rosie had 7 children, 7 grandchildren and another grandchild on the way. She was just 61. Michelle told Ray that an autopsy revealed that their mother had been in extraordinary health for her age.
“I mean, up to the day she died,[she] lived a normal, healthy life. Full of life, to put it mildly."
Brian spoke of his shock and disbelief upon hearing the news.
"I was thinking to myself if only she had have waited until I was there…because maybe then I could have gotten a chance to say goodbye.”
While family occasions continue, Michelle told Ray that things have changed.
"Home is still very much home…the difference is that Mam's not standing by the cooker."
Rosie’s first anniversary falls on February 21st. On February 24th, Brian, Michelle and their family are honouring their mother's memory with a 'Run for Rosie' event in Dublin, a family fun day featuring a 3K buggy dash and a 5k or 10k fun run or walk. All proceeds go to the Mater Family Screening Clinic.
Today @brianofficial and his sister Michelle join us in studio to chat about their beloved mum, Rosie. To mark the first anniversary of her sudden death, they are organising #RunWithRosie in Rathangan on the 24th of Feb.
To donate @TheMaterFoundat: https://t.co/XNvK5SxfoK— Ray D'Arcy Radio (@RadioRayRTE) February 5, 2019
Listen back to the full interview on The Ray D’Arcy Show here.