Tributes paid to ‘beautiful’ Esme - ‘a light that never goes out’

Earlier this week (February 28) four-year-old Esme McCormick from the Shore Road passed away in the Children’s Hospice.

Esme had been diagnosed with Pontocerabellar Hypiolasia and was the only child in Ireland to have the condition.

Pontocerebellar hypoplasia is a group of related conditions that affect the development of the brain. The term “pontocerebellar” refers to the pons and the cerebellum, which are the brain structures that are most severely affected in many forms of this disorder

The youngster’s funeral will be held on Friday at 1pm.

Pastor Brian Madden, a family friend who visited the little girl in the Children’s Hospice on February 28 and who will be leading the funeral service, said : “So when I walked into the children’s Hospice and saw young Esme and a heart broken Mother and Father words actually failed me as my heart literally melted.”

“Little Esme passed away some hours later.

“The truth is that sometimes we do not have the answers for there are no answers this side of eternity,” he added.

“All I know is that little Esme is in the presence of Jesus, where there is no more pain or suffering.”

A post from Lower North Belfast Concerned Residents on Facebook on March 1 said: “A dark cloud assembled over Lower North Belfast this morning as news was received of the passing of young Esme McCormick.

“This inspirational young lady sadly passed away late yesterday evening leaving a heartbroken family behind.

“Esme has during her short time on earth , touched the hearts of many within our community and was warmly thought of , a void left that can not be filled.

Our heartfelt thoughts and condolences go out to her parents Kirk and Kirstie and young Carter along with the wider family circle.

There is no doubt the community will rally around the family and support them ,however needed , during these sad times.

God bless all the family at this sad time.

“The Lord Is My Shepherd “

Another post from The Pride Of The Shore Flute Band also paid tribute to little Esme.

“It’s with a heavy heart this morning that we learnt of the passing of Esme McCormick, the daughter of our esteemed member Kirk,” they posted this morning.

“Our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences go to Kirk, Kirstie and the entire family circle at this time.

“Esme touched the hearts of so many of us in the short but beautiful life she had, surpassing all the milestones and difficulties that stood in her way.

“The band had the pleasure of having Esme in our ranks in what was our last parade that we walked...the 12th July last year. And we will carry her name in our hearts when we take to the road again in the future.

❤”️Esme McCormick❤️❤️- There’s a light that never goes out !”

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