The wife of Mrs Brown's Boys star Dermot O'Neill made a heart-wrenching decision before her tragic death, meticulously planning her own funeral. Patricia 'Chickie' Maguire passed away at the age of 60 after a battle with cancer, just seven days ago.
A Final Act of Love
Chickie, who married Dermot in 2012, received a cancer diagnosis in January after travelling to a hospital in Spain for a hernia operation. Medics discovered a tumour and were unable to proceed with surgery. As her condition worsened, she took charge of her funeral arrangements to ensure everything was exactly as she envisioned.
During the service, her son Salvador revealed that she had ordered an end-of-life planner, which arrived on the very day she passed away. The front cover bore the message: "Sorry, it's your problem now, because I'm dead." Salvador said: "That really made us laugh. That was my mum all over."
A Heartfelt Farewell
Chickie's children — sons Salvador and Evan, and daughters Yolanda and Nicola — expressed their profound heartbreak during the funeral. They voiced their pride at the remarkable turnout, which they said "was a testament to how much she was loved." They noted that their world had "gotten a lot quieter" since her passing.
Dermot was too overcome with grief to speak during the service, but rose to his feet as Chickie's coffin passed through the church doors. Afterwards, he revealed that Chickie had wished for karaoke at the wake, held at the nearby Kealy's.
Speaking to The Sun, he said: "Chickie wanted people to have a good time even at her funeral. That was very much her personality. She was a joyful, warm person. I'm so sad she is gone."
Support from Co-Stars
His Mrs Brown's Boys co-star Paddy Houlihan was among those paying respects. He admitted he had never seen his long-standing friend, affectionately called Bugsy, so visibly shaken. "I've known Bugsy for so many years and it's the first time he doesn't sound like Bugsy," he told the publication. He added: "He's absolutely devastated. But everyone on Mrs Brown is there to support him. I know Brendan (O'Carroll) has been on the phone from Florida to Dermot a few times in the last few days."
A Brave Battle
Following her diagnosis, Chickie received chemotherapy at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin. She had been offered a place at a Spanish hospital for treatment but chose to return to Ireland, stating that if she stayed in Spain she would "never see my kids again." The mother of seven found it difficult to tell her children, particularly her sons Salvador and Evan, whom she informed alongside Dermot. She revealed her husband "put his hand on my knee" and they "all hugged and cried."
Heartbreakingly, her sole wish was to experience another Christmas with her family. She had a three-year-old granddaughter, Ellie, and her "dream is to make it to Christmas Day and give her a kiss."
Dermot and Chickie met at a Brendan O'Carroll concert and waited 20 years before exchanging vows in 2012.
