Inspirational organ donation campaigner Isabel Terry has died
Isabel Terry
Tributes have been paid following the death of an inspirational Cork woman who was a leading campaigner for people to carry organ donation cards and an advocate for transplant surgeries.
Isabel Terry died peacefully after a lifelong illness on Thursday, October 12.
She has been described as a person of "great courage, strength and determination."
"She was the beloved wife of Philip, darling daughter of Deirdre and the later Oliver, inspirational sister to Julie, Bill, Robert, Peter and Stephanie," her death notice read.
Isabel Terry was from Bishopstown and had been waiting 15 years for a call that could change her life. She suffered from pulmonary atresia, a birth defect of the pulmonary valve in the heart, and had to use bottled oxygen 24 hours a day.
In 2003, she was first assessed as needing a heart transplant while she was in the care of the Mater in Dublin.
However, she suffered heartbreak after receiving five unsuccessful transplant calls between 2003 and 2009.
In 2009, her condition had worsened to the point where she needed to get a heart and double lung transplant.
Finally, in 2017, Isabel underwent a high-risk surgery and spent nearly two months in intensive care. She survived multiple complications including a stroke, a cardiac arrest, and kidney failure.
Isabel had been writing about her journey of being on the transplant list on her Facebook blog, Life on the List, with the hope of inspiring other people in the same position as well as raising awareness about the importance of organ donation and carrying organ donation cards.
She has been remembered as an "absolute warrior woman" by many, and an "inspiration in facing her health challenges."
"Isabel was the personification of courage and inspiration. Despite her health challenges, I was always struck by her zest for life and by her willingness to advocate so publicly and eloquently for organ donation - work I am sure has helped save many lives," one person wrote.
"To all of Isabel’s family and her friends at this sad time. I can’t believe she has gone and I am so sorry for your loss. Isabel was a beautiful and courageous brave girl who always had a great smile and loved a laugh and her fashion. She inspired me to become a donor and many others," a second person said.
Isabel's body will be reposing at her residence on Friday between 4 pm and 6 pm.
A requiem mass will be held at 10 am on Saturday in St Joseph's SMA Church in Wilton, with a funeral held afterward at St Oliver's Cemetery on Model Farm Road.