Michael Flatley reveals wife Niamh’s devastating diagnosis & ‘torturous’ 12-year health battle in tragic funeral speech
MICHAEL Flatley paid tribute to his wife Niamh’s “courage” in the face of her health battle during her
Niamh, 52, passed away in Beaumont Hospital on Monday surrounded by her family.
The lead Lord of the Dance performer had been battling a long-time illness prior to her death and her lung health had deteriorated over the last year.
Crowds of mourners gathered at the Church of St. Therese in Co Meath this morning for the dancer’s funeral mass.
Michael Flatley addressed mourners himself in an emotional eulogy delivered at the end of the mass today.
The star remembered his wife as “kind, caring, loving, giving, honest, decent, loyal, respectable, dignified, honourable and fun” in the tribute to his “dream girl”.
In the speech, a teary Michael made a strong point of highlighting Niamh’s grace in the face of illness.
Opening up to the congregation Flatley shared: “Over 12 years ago, she was diagnosed with this horrible connective tissue disease, scleroderma and the woman gave her 24 months. She wouldn’t tell anybody … and she fought it.
“The last two years were very, very difficult and I used to say to her ‘focus not on the storm, focus on the hand of the Lord’.
“The last year was particularly difficult and I used to keep her family updated, but Niamh would reprimand me ‘whatever happens, don’t say anything that’ll upset my parents. It will make them worry’.
“She never, ever looked for sympathy.”
Dancer Niamh is survived by her parents Monica and Tommy, sisters Derval and Aoibheann and a wide circle of nieces, nephews and in-laws.
Throughout the lengthy eulogy, Michael heavily praised his wife’s family for their love and care and revealed that Niamh’s mother and sisters spent nearly every night in the hospital before her death.
Detailing the last few weeks of Niamh’s health battle Flatley broke down on the alter saying: “The last three weeks were torturous and unbearable for her because she couldn’t breathe.”
He continued: “We were all there for her final, uh, for her final breath, when the Lord had mercy and took her from her pain.
“But it’s not for us to question why, it’s for my son and I to now stand tall, and represent our beautiful Niamh.
“She’s gone to heaven but heaven is everywhere. Heaven is around us all right here today. I believe Niamh is standing beside me right at this moment, I can feel her.”
The grieving husband played a song on the flute in tribute to Niamh before the couple’s son took over the eulogy.
Michael St. James described Niamh as “the best mother” in his tribute speech.
The brave young lad also detailed how is father had fought to get the “best possible” care for Niamh throughout her illness.
He explained: “As my dad was saying, I want to thank especially my mom’s parents and her sisters, my grandparents and my aunts, who put in countless hours, they put their lives on hold to make sure that she was always cared for and she always had support.”
The star’s son continued: “I also want to thank my dad, who cared for her all the way. He helped clothe her and bathe her, and whatever assistance she needed, he was always there.
“And as I’m sure you can tell, the bond they had was extraordinary. The deep love they had for each other. And likewise, it went both ways. My mom was always there for him, to support him.
“As my dad was saying, my mom would not complain in any capacity. She wanted no one to worry and she fought on. And also my dad fought so hard to make sure that my mom had the best care and every opportunity that she could possibly get.
“She was the most wonderful person. She was the best mother I could ever ask for. She put everyone else first, always.”
Michael St. James also played a musical tribute for his mother, a guitar rendition of her favourite song Flying Without Wings.
The pair carried Niamh’s coffin from the church after this morning’s mass, ahead of a private family burial.
