'˜Goodbye our brave little princess...no more pain!'
Merryn’s family posted the devastating news on Merryn’s Facebook page on Wednesday.
“Goodbye our sweet little princess. This afternoon your little body had enough and you departed this world.
“No more pain! You leave us with so many happy memories.
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Hide Ad“Our lives aren’t just measured in years. They’re measured in the lives of people we touch around us.”
Mum Jenny (née Robinson) - originally from Kilfennan - regularly brought Merryn home to visit her Londonderry family, who were tireless fundraisers in support of treatment to eradicate traces of Neuroblastoma from her bone marrow.
She’ll make her last trip to Londonderry on Saturday.
In 2014 Jenny’s aunt and uncle Natalie and Graham Cummings organised a cycle from Londonderry to Dunfanaghy for Merryn, which was supported by dozens of Merryn’s friends, families and supporters.
Merryn loved playing with her dolls, dressing up as a princess, dancing to music wearing pink, painting, colouring, drawing and making stuff.
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Hide AdShe was excited about school and learning, adored life but tragically bore a cross no young child should have to carry.
But despite the cruel disease she lived with, Merryn had an amazing spirit.
Speaking to the Sentinel in 2014 her father Michael said she was a force of nature.
“All kids are different. But it’s strange with Merryn because she has so much energy. She’s the one that drags as all out of bed. We were told after her treatment that she really shouldn’t be as well as she is,” said Michael.
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Hide AdThis morning, Thursday, May 5, the family posted: “We brought her home last night. The three of us holding her in our arms as a Garda escort took us from Crumlin to Donabate.
“She is now peaceful in her mum and dad’s bed. We’ve been surround by those that love us and who love Merryn. There aren’t really words to describe these feelings, but we’re truly overwhelmed by the heartfelt messages from those we know and those who have come to know us through Merryn’s battle.
“Merryn will sleep here at home until Saturday, when she’ll then make her last trip to Derry. We’ll post more details on that when we have them. For now we try and do our best to keep going. Merryn lived life to the full we owe it to her to keep going. We miss you Merryn.”
Rest in peace, Merryn.