Sadness following death of Glencolmcille woman Tracy Byrne, lung cancer advocate

The funeral took place on Monday of Glencolmcille woman and lung cancer advocate Tracy Byrne,

Late of Clonee, Dublin and formerly of Cashel, Glencolmcille, Ms Byrne passed away, surrounded by her family, at St Francis Hospice in Blanchardstown.

In 2019, at the age of 35, Tracy was diagnosed with lung cancer.

Having presented to her doctor with worsening back pain, an MRI revealed that she had a lesion on her lung that had spread to her spine. 

She was diagnosed with EGFR lung cancer, a non-smoking-related type of the disease.

Tracy was a founding member of the Irish Lung Cancer Community.

In a 2023 interview, she told of the importance of early detection.

“To say I was shocked would be an understatement,” she said. “I had no symptoms in my lung so I couldn’t understand this. Here I was going to get results for what I thought was routine back pain and within hours I was told that I have lung cancer with a secondary lesion in my spine.”

The Irish Lung Cancer Community have paid tribute, saying: “As an original founding member of the ILCC Tracy was dedicated to raising awareness of lung cancer and continued to do so right up until last November when she had some words read out at the ILCC symposium. 

“Tracy's genuine warmth and compassionate nature touched everyone she met and her kindness will continue to inspire those fortunate to have known her.”

Her funeral Mass took place on Monday in St Columbas Church, Cashel, Glencolmcille followed by private cremation service in Lakelands Crematorium, Cavan.

Predeceased by her father Michael, she is survived by her husband Phil Noble, her mother Maire, sister Claire, brother Terence and a large circle of friends and family.