Honoured for giving the gift of life

A Rochfortbridge native who died tragically almost two years ago was honoured recently in her adopted home of Belfast for giving three people the gift of life through organ donation.

Mother of three Valerie Armstrong (nee Palmer) was recognised by the Order of St John “for the selfless contribution of adding life and giving hope to others from the gift of organ donation”. At a ceremony in Belfast Castle in February, Olympian Dame Mary Peters presented Valerie’s eldest child Dylan (11) with the Order of St John Award for Organ Donation.

Valerie’s mother Christina, father Sonny and sister Ann Donoghue attended the event, along with her husband Seamus, and her daughters Lucy (8) and Sophie (6).
Christina told the Westmeath Examiner that the day of the ceremony was one of mixed emotions for her family. “He (Dylan) was so proud accepting the award for his mammy. We were all so proud.”

Valerie was an extremely loving person who was always thinking of others, Mrs Palmer said, so it was fitting that something as positive as saving three people’s lives came out of her untimely passing.

“It’s just wonderful that three people have benefited,” Mrs Palmer said.

At the time of her death, her parish priest Fr Vincent Cushnahan from the Church of the Nativity in Poleglass praised Valerie and her family for donating her organs.

“Valerie continues, despite her untimely and tragic death, to be generous to people who have never met her and they will have lifesaving treatment from her organs. Even in desperate sadness there will be life and generosity.”

Valerie (35) died from injuries sustained in a collision with a scrambler motorbike while out walking her dog in Colin Glen Forest Park, West Belfast on July 19 2016.