Outspoken, controversial, misunderstood, passionate, fierce, inspiring, kind and a wonderful singer. These are words that have been used to describe the late, Sinéad O’Connor. Today words had no meaning, it was just profound sadness as we bid the final farewell to her.
No matter what your thoughts were of her, she was a force; that is something nobody can deny. From her music that defined her, to her stances on various topics that made her a lightning rod for many, good and not so good,
O’Connor leaves a legacy that portrays her as a person that was ahead of her time. That is probably the most appropriate and fairest description of all. A description fitting of a legend.
It’s been several hours and several days since we were shocked by the news of O’Connor’s passing.
She was laid to rest Tuesday, August 8thfollowing her private memorial service. Her procession took a somber drive as sobbing was the theme of the procession.
O’Connor’s casket was draped in pink, white, and blue flowers and her photo was prominent at the end of the hearse.
According to Ireland’s News Channel, the funeral was performed by the chief imam of the Islamic Centre of Ireland, Shaykh Dr. Umar Al- Qadri. Prime Minister Leo Varadkar and President Michael D. Higgins, Bob Geldof, U2’s Bono and The Edge were also in attendance. It was a touching ceremony, and Al-Qadri chronicled her many challenges and adversities, and also centered that her faith in the divine paved her way through life. Through her faith and her music, she will live on.
There are many ways to describe the impact a person has had in this life, some through their words, some through their actions and some through the legendary moments of triumph that lead the human spirit.
For Sinead O’Connor, she lived her life on her own terms; for that alone her music defined her life. Ironic, adroit and accurate – “Nothing Compares 2 U.”
O’Connor is survived by her son Jake, daughter Róisín, son, Yeshua, and a grandchild.
