Marathon runner had gift for friendship, funeral hears
A young woman who died not long after she reached the finish line at the Cork City Marathon last weekend had a gift for friendship and was generous with her "attention, energy, love and affection," her requiem mass has heard.
Ellen Cassidy (24) of Carhoo, Old Mallow Road in Co Cork became ill just after she completed the half marathon last Sunday at about 1pm.
She died shortly afterwards in Cork University Hospital.
Ellen worked in cybersecurity for PVC having achieved a first class honours degree in Business Information Systems from UCC.
Her father, Tom Cassidy, told mourners at the Church of the Annunciation in Blackpool in Cork City this afternoon that Ellen acquired pockets of friends wherever she went.
Mr Cassidy said that the wake for Ellen in their family home had lasted nine hours with friends pouring in in large numbers to share their precious memories.
He stressed that Ellen "didn't lead with elbows she led with open arms."
"That made her stand out. That made her special. That made everyone that came in contact with her feel special.
"The result of this approach to life is what we had last night with a nine hour wake. A full church today both inside and outside.
"Honestly, we never expected what we have seen over the last 48 hours. But it is the result of (Ellen) putting others first."
Mr Cassidy said that he and his wife Vi had found their daughter's diary in the days after her death.
He said Ellen's diary entry on her 20th birthday summed up her approach to life.
"The entry for 11 March, 2021 - her 20th birthday - reads: 'I am not a child anymore...step out of your comfort zone. Don't follow the crowd. You never know the person you could be if you don't step up. You will never know what life will throw at you but you must embrace it. Make choices and decisions - but don't look back. Follow your gut. Small things make a huge difference.'
"'I am so lucky to have them (my family) - we are lucky to have each other.'"
Mr Cassidy said that the day before Ellen took part in the Cork City Marathon she sent her mother Vi "the most beautiful message."
It read: 'I would choose my Mum to be my Mum in every lifetime again and again and again'.
Mr Cassidy said that Ellen "always had a number of plates spinning at any one time."
"Swimming, for example, swimming 16 hours per week, music (was) four hours per week, attendance and practice, piano was seven hours a week, attendance and practice, school, her university attendance, exams that go with both and, of course, her friends."
Mr Cassidy said his daughter achieved so much in the fields of music, sport, academia and in her personal life.
Particularly cherished family memories include the sight of Ellen eating pasta with ketchup or the time she managed to get a H2 in Leaving Certificate Accounting having scored just nine percent in the subject in a fifth year exam.
Mr Cassidy asked friends of his daughter to continue to call to the family home as the family embark on the long and painful road to "some sort of normality."
He also thanked all those who had assisted Ellen when she became ill as well as family, friends, neighbours and the wider community for their support over the last few days.
Meanwhile, Canon John O'Donovan noted that Ellen had written in her diary that she wanted her family to be happy.
He said with her all her achievements in life her greatest legacy was the love she had for her family and friends.
Offertory gifts included a medal Ellen received when she completed the Milan marathon, swimming hats, sheets of music and her music book, a sea shell representing her favourite place which was Alvor in Portugal, and a heart symbolising friendship.
Ellen was an accomplished swimmer who represented Dolphin Swimming Club, UCC, Munster and Ireland.
She was also a pianist who studied at the Cork School of Music.
Ellen is survived by her parents Vi and Tom, her siblings Mary and Charlie, her boyfriend Rob, her grandparents Joan, Billy and Tom, her extended family and her "many many best friends."
The song "We Have Got the World Tonight" by Mickey Joe Harte was sung by a soloist as the coffin was brought from the church to the Island Crematorium in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork.
A guard of honour was formed by members of Dolphin Swimming Club.
Large numbers of runners from clubs throughout Cork also participated in the tribute to Ms Cassidy.
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Athletics clubs across Cork and Munster paid a moving tribute as members wore their club running colours and formed a special guard of honour for the funeral cortege route along Great William O'Brien Street in Blackpool. Ms Cassidy's Dolphin and Sunday's Well swimming clubs teammates and friends formed the initial guard of honour outside the Church of the Annunciation in Blackpool. The Cassidy family were deeply touched by the tribute from so many clubs in two sports that Ms Cassidy was passionate about throughout her life. Ellen Cassidy (24) died after becoming unwell while taking part in the Cork city half marathon last Sunday News in 90 Seconds - 5th June 2025 Ms Cassidy fell seriously ill at 1pm last Sunday having just finished the Cork half marathon. Despite efforts by paramedics at the scene and doctors at Cork University Hospital (CUH), she was later pronounced dead. Mourners at the mass were led by her parents, Tom and Vi, her sister, Mary, her brother Charlie, her boyfriend Rob, her grandparents Joan, Billy and Tom as well as her extended family. Special mention was made of Ms Cassidy's friends, Katie and Sadhbh, and her new puppy, Nala. 'This is beautiful Ellen's goodbye mass and Violet, Charlie, Mary and myself would like to thank a few people,' her father said. 'I would like to thank the first responders, paramedics, doctors and nurses who did everything they possibly could to save Ellen at the marathon, in the ambulance and at CUH. 'Their responsiveness, expertise, effort and caring concern shown to Ellen is deeply appreciated. Though the outcome was heartbreaking, their dedication brought comfort in knowing she was in the hands of those who gave it their all on that day.' Mr Cassidy said his family were overwhelmed by the support they have received over the past week from his daughter's friends, neighbours, extended family, sports club mates, work colleagues and those she had met throughout 'We will forever be grateful for their compassion and dedication during such a desperate time in our lives. Your compassion will never be forgotten; your love and support have helped us so much and in a way that words cannot fully express,' he said. 'You have all reminded us how much light she brought into so many lives. 'Today is so, so difficult for Violet, Charlie, Mary and myself… she was our north, our south, our east and our west, our working week and our Sunday rest, our noon, our midnight, our talk, our song, we thought your time with us would last forever. We were wrong. "Over the last number of days there has been a tremendous outpouring of support for Ellen.… articles have appeared across various online and print media. They have no doubt given you a wonderful sense of who Ellen was. That was Ellen – the person we all knew and loved. "Ellen Bina Cassidy was born on March 11, 2001 at the Bon Secours Hospital. She was known to us as 'Ellie', 'Ellie Bellie', 'Elliano', 'Queen', 'Moogamuganski' and 'Geishan' – and she would answer to all of those names at any time." Ms Cassidy worked in the cyber security team at PWC and was a BIS graduate of University College Cork (UCC). 'Ellen was not an ordinary girl – she always had a number of plates spinning at any one time. Swimming, for example, swimming 16 hours per week, music [was] four hours per week, attendance and practice, piano was seven hours a week, attendance and practice, school, her university attendance, exams that go with both and, of course, her friends,' Mr Cassidy said. He said his daughter made friends everywhere she went. 'Ellen didn't lead with elbows, she led with open arms. 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Dolphin said she was a remarkable athlete whose life was marked by grace, strength and passion. "Your smile and your drive will never be forgotten," a club spokesperson said. Ms Cassidy represented Cork, Munster and Ireland in swimming and Dolphin said that it 'could not be prouder' when she swam for Ireland at an international event in Luxembourg seven years ago. Swim Munster described her as an 'inspiration to everyone she met', given her commitment to her sport. Ms Cassidy represented Ireland at the European Youth Olympics and the European Junior Championships. She had also been on a UCC Emerging Talent programme and represented Ireland at international schools level. Cork City Marathon organisers said they were deeply saddened by Ms Cassidy's passing and extended their sympathies to her family and friends. Lord Mayor of Cork Dan Boyle offered his sincere condolences to Ms Cassidy's family and friends. He said the entire city was heartbroken by the tragedy. Over 11,000 athletes participated in the full and half marathon runs as well as the 10K event.
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A woman who died not long after reaching the finish line at the Cork City Marathon was generous with her 'attention, energy, love and affection', her requiem Mass has heard. Ellen Cassidy (24), of Carhoo, Old Mallow Road, Co Cork, became ill just after completing the race last Sunday. She died shortly afterwards in Cork University Hospital. Ms Cassidy's father, Tom Cassidy, told mourners at the Church of the Annunciation in Blackpool that his daughter acquired pockets of friends wherever she went. He said Ellen's wake in the family home lasted for nine hours, with friends arriving in large numbers to share their memories. READ MORE Ellen 'didn't lead with elbows, she led with open arms', he said. 'That made her stand out. That made her special. That made everyone that came in contact with her feel special.' Mr Cassidy said that he and his wife Vi, had found their daughter's diary in the days after her death. He said an entry on her 20th birthday summed up her approach to life. 'The entry for March 11th, 2021, her 20th birthday, reads: 'I am not a child anymore ... step out of your comfort zone. Don't follow the crowd. You never know the person you could be if you don't step up. You will never know what life will throw at you, but you must embrace it. Make choices and decisions – but don't look back. Follow your gut. Small things make a huge difference'.' Mr Cassidy said his daughter achieved so much in the fields of music, sport, academia and in her personal life. He asked that her friends continue to call to the family home as they embark on the long and painful road to 'some sort of normality'. Canon John O'Donovan noted that Ms Cassidy had written in her diary that she wanted her family to be happy. She had achieved a lot in her life, but her greatest legacy was the love she had for her family and friends, he added. Offertory gifts included a medal Ellen received when she completed the Milan marathon, swimming hats, sheet music and her music book, a seashell representing her favourite place (Alvor in Portugal) and a heart symbolising friendship. Ms Cassidy is survived by her parents, her siblings Mary and Charlie, her boyfriend Rob, her grandparents Joan, Billy and Tom, her extended family and her many friends.
