Nikki was a ray of sunshine in the lives of all who knew her
The late Nicole (Nikki) Coakley
WITHOUT warning, on the morning of Wednesday 19 February, the sun stopped shining in the lives of those who heard the terrible news of the premature, sudden and unexpected passing from this world of Nicole (Nikki) Coakley from JKL Avenue, Carlow.
As the heartbreaking news spread, the shock and sorrow shared by many throughout the town, county and further afield was evidenced by the many expressions of sympathy and condolence Nikki’s family received via social media and rip.ie.
Nikki was the beloved wife of Ken, adored mother of Lauren and Kim, worshipped grandmother of Kaidyn, Aria and Preya, and the cherished daughter of Joe and Billie Morrissey. She will be so dreadfully missed by them and by her sisters Susan and Tammy, her brother Jody, her aunts, uncles, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins, her wider extended family and by so many friends from all walks of life.
The huge crowd who attended Nikki’s funeral in Carlow cathedral on Monday 24 February and the many people who lined the streets as her funeral procession passed by was a clear indication of love and respect for this wonderful lady, and a collective show of appreciation and acknowledgement of the impact Nikki had on people’s lives.
Nikki was a ray of sunshine in the lives of all who knew her, but she absolutely loved her family above all else. As with all families, there were good days and not so good days, times of laughter, tears, sorrow, illness and grief, but Nikki was always first to ‘step up to the post’ and do everything she could to be the person who supported everyone through the journey of life.
“We all may have great plans,” she would often say, “but the universe may have different plans for all of us; we have to take whatever comes our way”.
How right she was. Neither Nikki nor any of us expected the plans the ‘universe’ had for her, nor did we expect such a sudden departure of this special lady from our lives. Having spent her life as a hair stylist, Nikki encountered so many people throughout her working life. People of all ages would make their appointments for regular days and times, not just to have their hair styled but to share conversations, laughter and friendship; to share stories about her family and how much she loved them. Nikki respected each person as an individual, she made them feel special, listened to their stories and woes and she was the soul of discretion and support.
Following her death, so many people shared stories of the times spent with Nikki. She ‘was a special person’, ‘one of a kind’, ‘one in a million’, ‘a genuinely caring person,’ ‘she loved her family above all else’ – these are the main characteristics of Nikki, which will be remembered by so many of us who mourn her loss.
As a long-time friend of Nikki, saddened, like many others by her passing, I can only imagine the grief and sorrow felt by her beloved family. There are simply no words that could make such a loss easier for them to bear or understand. I can only pray that they will all find some comfort in remembering and always feeling the love Nikki had for each one of them, and that in time they will come to feel sunshine in their lives. That’s what Nikki would want – she loved the sunshine, she loved travelling to sunnier climes, but no matter where she was, when the sun was shining, it was always a good day for her.
Nikki was ‘one in a million’ – a dear friend, always a listening ear, always smiling, no matter what the world threw her way. I can almost hear her say ‘this really wasn’t the plan; the universe obviously had a different one for me’! It certainly seems so, Nikki, and our loss is Heaven’s gain. As we extend sympathy to your much-loved family, you, too, will be remembered and missed by all who loved and knew you. Tread safely, enjoy, and walk in the sunshine, Nikki, RIP.
Mairéad Parker-Byrne
