‘Kind-hearted’ nurse Mary-Ellen Molloy remembered after freak accident
Tributes have flowed for the Melbourne nurse killed by a falling tree on Kings Way in November, with the 26-year-old remembered for her passion for helping people with poor mental health.
Inner East
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A devoted Royal Melbourne Hospital nurse who was killed in a freak tree-falling accident is being remembered as a kind-hearted worker who went “miles” out of her way for those in need.
More than 200 friends, family and strangers packed St Brendan’s Catholic Church at Flemington on Friday to pay tribute to Irish nurse Mary-Ellen Molloy, who died when a gum tree came crashing down on a rideshare vehicle she and two friends were inside on Kings Way on November 25.
The 26-year-old, who had a passion for helping people with poor mental health, died at the same hospital she worked at just 15 just months after landing her dream job.
She died in the company of best friend and colleague Tanya White who was on duty that night.
The duo was supposed to make a visit back to their home town of Ardara, Donegal in Northern Ireland in July.
“Mary-Ellen was kind and compassionate … her joy radiated through her smile,” a tearful colleague said.
“It saddens me to think about what (Royal Melbourne Hospital) patients have lost.”
Ms Molloy’s fellow passengers and work friends, Sarah Fitzpatrick and Aoife Sheridan, survived the horror smash along with the rideshare driver.
Ms Molloy, who lived at Armadale with workmates while she worked in Melbourne, was repatriated Northern Ireland where she was laid to rest in a heartbreaking farewell with family on Thursday.
The proud Gaelic footballer was heavily involved in Melbourne’s Irish community and played for St Kevin’s Gaelic Athletic Club, with dozens of teammates attending her memorial in the club’s blue and gold guernsey.
In a letter read from family overseas, parents Terence and Angela said their precious daughter “loved her life” in Melbourne and fulfilled her “greatest adventures” as she blossomed in her new role at the hospital.
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We will miss her laughter, radiant smile (and) wisdom … we knew how happy she was (in Melbourne) and how much she was loved by all of her friends,” they said.
“We send our grateful thanks to the emergency services who tried to save Mary-Ellen and the strangers who came to offer help at the side of the road.
“We will forever be in your debt.”
A GoFundMe page set up by St Kevin’s to support their beloved teammate’s family has raised more than $200,000 in donations.
Police are preparing a report for the coroner.