BROKEN HEARTS

LOVED Saoírse Ruane, who was on The Late Late Toy Show, died of cancer when she was only 12.

The brave girl from Galway, whose appearance on the Toy Show won hearts across the country, died on Tuesday, her family said this morning.

Saoírse was diagnosed with cancer in November 2019 after complaining of an injured ankle. In 2020, her leg was cut off because an Osteosarcoma tumor in her tibia was found to be cancerous and likely to kill her.

When Saoírse joined Ryan Tubridy on the Late Late Toy Show in 2020, her story became well known.

The Galway girl’s fight against a rare form of bone cancer amazed everyone with how strong and tough she was.

The death of Saoírse has broken the hearts of her parents, Roseanna and Ollie, and her little sister Farrah-Rose.

They told everyone about their terrible loss by saying, “After a long brave and dignified battle, our hearts are shattered to tell you that our beautiful little Saoírse took her last breath in our arms on Tuesday.”

“Thank you to all of our wonderful fans for thinking about Saoírse and us over the past few weeks.

“Today, we also think of you because we know how much the country loved Saoírse and how she changed the lives of so many people.”

“Cancer, you took her away from us. You also took away our dreams and the life we had.” Things will never be the same!

Please give us some space as we go on our last and final trip with our beautiful girl. “Farrah Rose and Mamma Dadda.”

President Michael D. Higgins and stars from all over show business have paid tribute to the beloved girl. Her story was told on The Toy Show the first year they started their huge charity campaign.

through her battle, Saoírse’s family gave a “devastating” health update in November of last year, saying that her cancer had spread.

After a recurring tumor was found in her left lung earlier in 2023, they said it was a “huge shock” to them that the cancer had spread to her other lung.

It was Saoírse’s “biggest battle to date” because she had to go through more chemotherapy.

In April, Roseanna said, “Little did they know that their world was about to fall apart again.”
“To say we’re devastated just doesn’t cover it,” she said. It’s not fair that she’s been to war so many times and fought so hard.

Saoírse had already had a few dreams come true, like going to Old Trafford to see Manchester United play and going on her dream vacation to Disneyland.
When people heard that Saoírse had died, they sent her a lot of tributes.
The office of President Michael D. Higgins said, “President Higgins has sent his deepest condolences to the family of Saoírse Ruane from Kiltullagh, Co. Galway, after her death at the age of 12.” Everyone was moved by Saoírse’s strength and kindness.
Tanaiste Micheal Martin also said, “Very saddened by the death of Saoírse Ruane.”
“I will always remember meeting Saoirse and her mother Roseanna in Croke Park and seeing her beautiful smile and love for GAA.”
“The Toy Show Appeal is an amazing thing she left behind.” We’re very sorry for her family and friends’ loss.
Tubs’ tears
After Saoirse’s appearance on The Toy Show, Ryan Tubridy, who used to host Late Late, became friends with her family. He said that the “world is a poorer place” without her.

According to him, hearing the news of his dear young friend Saoírse Ruane’s death made him feel the saddest thoughts possible.
“As soon as we met, we became friends.” People all over the country fell in love with her, and because of her, a charity was founded. Through this, she helped make the lives of thousands of Irish children better and more hopeful.
“A child who is selfless, humble, kind, hopeful, and thoughtful.” She was everything our country should and could be, and her death will make a lot of us think about things.
“My condolences and all the love I can muster go out to Roseanna, Ollie, and Farrah Rose. They are a beautiful family whose whole world has been turned upside down by this tragedy.”
“Thank them for letting us all know about their amazing Saorse.”
“The world is a poorer place without Saoírse but I do hope that twinkle in her eye shines on and on.”
The legacy of Saoírse
Roz Purcell, a radio host on RTE 2FM, said, “No one will forget Saoírse; she left a huge mark and mark on Ireland.”
“In 12 years, she did so much.” May she rest in peace. Think about all of her family and friends who will miss her a lot.
Patrick O’Mahony, the captain of Ireland’s rugby team, said, “I’m very sorry to read this.” She was an inspiration.
Rosana, I’m so sorry, said Kathryn Thomas of RTE. Your lovely daughter made our lives so much better.
“A small part of what she brought into your life.” That smile is great. Thinking about all of you. “Take it easy, little angel.”

Today FM It was DJ Declan Pierce who wrote, “My beautiful friend. It breaks my heart so much.
“The best thing about my job is getting to know Saoírse through the radio show. From the bottom of my heart, I love you all the time.
Singer RuthAnne wrote on her blog, “Heartbroken. She was truly unique, and her bravery knew no bounds.”
“I am so thankful that I met her and had the chance to sing with her. What an honor!”
“That is something I will always treasure and hold close to my heart. Lots of love and light to everyone.”
Saoirse’s funeral will be held at St. Peter and Paul’s Church, Kiltullagh, on Sunday at 1.45 p.m.
It also said, “Saoírse will rest at home on Friday, March 8, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.”
“From the Bullaun Church parking lot (H62 YH66), a bus service will leave. Please follow the stewards’ instructions and only use the bus service to get to the event.”

SEVENTY YEARS AGO, SHE WAS KICKED OUT FOR BEING IN LOVE WITH A BLACK MAN. NOW, SEE HOW THEY ARE DOING TODAY.

Jake and Mary Jacobs marked their 70th anniversary of a happy marriage last year, but their journey wasn’t simple.

Mary, who is White, and Jake, who is Black, lived in the same city in 1940s Britain. At that time, there weren’t many Black men there.

Even though Mary’s father told her to leave, Mary chose love over easy choices.

“When I told my father I was going to marry Jake, he said, ‘If you marry that man, you will never set foot in this house again.’”

Mary and Jake first met at a technical college where Mary was learning typing and shorthand, and Jake was undergoing Air Force training. They met during the war when Jake moved from Trinidad to Britain.

Jake impressed Mary with his understanding of Shakespeare, and they got to know each other. One day, they invited Mary and her friend to join them for a picnic. Unfortunately, someone passing by saw them and reported Mary to her father. The woman was shocked to see two English girls talking with black guys. After this incident, Mary wasn’t allowed to visit her father again.

After Jake returned to Trinidad, they kept in touch through letters. A few years later, he came back to the U.K. to find a better-paying job.

Jake surprised Mary by proposing, and she, at 19, said yes. However, when she told her family, they kicked her out.

“I left with only one small suitcase. No family came to our registry office wedding in 1948.”

Mary’s father was upset about her marrying a black man, and Mary didn’t realize that society felt the same way.

The early years of their marriage in Birmingham were tough. Mary cried every day, hardly ate, and they faced many challenges. Nobody would talk to them, they couldn’t find a place to live because nobody would rent to a black man, and they had little money.

Even walking down the street together was hard because people would point at them, Mary explained.

Mary and Jake were excited to become parents, but at eight months, Mary gave birth to a stillborn child. She mentioned it wasn’t due to the stress she was under, but it deeply saddened them, and they didn’t have any more children.

As time passed, their lives improved. Mary became a teacher and eventually an assistant principal, while Jake found a job with the Post Office. They made new friends, but Mary felt the need to explain to people that her husband was black before introducing them.

“My father passed away when I was 30, and even though we reconciled by then, he never approved of Jake,” she shared.

Currently, Jake, 89, and Mary, 84, live in Solihull, a town south of Birmingham. They recently celebrated 70 years of marriage.

Jake said he has no regrets, but he also mentioned that today’s black youth may not fully understand the challenges he faced in 1940s Britain.

“When I arrived in the U.K., I faced abuse every day. Once, on a bus, a man rubbed his hands on my neck and said, ‘I wanted to see if the dirt would come off.’ Back then, working in an office as a black man with white girls wasn’t considered safe,” Jake explained.

Despite all the challenges, bias, and abuse, the pair is still deeply in love and has no regrets about being married. They have been happily married for more than 70 years.

These two are a true inspiration, and I wish them a lifetime of pleasure because of the love they have for one another.