Tributes paid to Ballycastle organ donation campaigner Lucia

Lucia Quinny Mee, at home in Ballycastle with her parents and sister

Ballycastle Sinn Féin Councillor, Cara McShane, expressd her condolences on the passing of Lucia. Cllr McShane said: “Ballycastle, Rathlin Island and the wider North Antrim community have been left heartbroken over the news of Lucia’s passing at the weekend and just days before her 21st birthday. “Lucia left a huge mark on everyone she met. A positive, inspirational and intelligent young person, she shifted mindsets. I had the privilege of meeting Lucia on several occasions, as she lobbied then Education Minister John O’Dowd to include Organ Donation onto the school curriculum, as a topic in Religious Education, in Biology, and in Citizenship. For Lucia, education in young people was the key to promoting organ donation to ‘normalise the conversation about organ donation.’ “One of my final duties as Chair of Moyle Council was to attend the opening of the Circle of Life commemorative garden overlooking Galway Bay. Lucia’s parents, David and Rachel, had secured Council agreement to plant a tree in the garden on behalf of all the people of Moyle, to celebrate the lives and generosity of spirit of organ donors. “Four years ago, Lucia addressed a packed meeting of Causeway Coast and Glens Council and you could have heard a pin drop. Accompanied by Alexia McCooke telling the story of how her son’s organs had helped five other people after his death in a road traffic collision, Lucia discussed the campaign she had just launched ‘Live Loudly, Donate Proudly.’ “Lucia was a remarkable person who achieved so much in such a short life. We will remember her for the vibrancy and energy she brought to the campaign for organ donations. But she did not want to be defined by just this. At the Council meeting, I recall her saying, ‘I am a swimmer, a ballerina and I have had liver transplants.’ “Lucia will be remembered for so much more by those who knew her best. Our thoughts and prayers surround her family at this time, especially to her parents David and Rachel, and sister Alice.”  * A message from the Editor: Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so. Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis. With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely. You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk  With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up. Thank you