Sunday May 14th 1995 will always be a very special day to remember as it’s the day Bernie and myself attended our first Bereavement Service for our babies, Mary Purdy stillborn 16th November 1964 and Peter Purdy born 4th June 1970 and died 5th June 1970.

The Service was in the Pro Cathedral and was celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Rotunda Hospital. I remember Bernie being very happy going to the Service as it was the first time our babies were being acknowledged in some way as at the time they were taken to the Angel’s Plot in Glasnevin. I must explain this was the way it was done in 1964 and 1970 and as we weren’t aware of another burial service we just accepted it.

It was at this Service in the Pro Cathedral that events began to change for Bernie and it was here we made contact with other mothers and fathers in the same situation in relation to where our babies were. From here, the whole situation started to change.

Bernie spoke to a person and if my memory is right it had to be Ron. Bernie embraced the information with such excitement and our first trip was to the hospital where our babies were born to get whatever information was there.

I will always remember when we first stood over the spot where our babies were buried. The sadness and the happiness that at last this is where Mary and Peter are. Just to remind you at the time it was the old Angel’s Plot but it was like heaven to us at finding it.

We became members of ISANDS and Bernie set out to have our two little angels remembered. She had Mary’s and Peter’s names put on the stone plaques that adorn the beautiful Angels Memory Garden in Glasnevin. I must tell you Bernie set out to do most of the seeking of information on all matters at the hospital where our babies were born, having names on the wall and when all this was done Bernie said to me “Jimmy, I’m finished grieving about where our babies are.” This stunned me and my grieving only started.

We have attended all the Service of Remembrance in St Nicholas of Myra and the Blessing at Glasnevin with the exception of one.

In remembrance of Bernie who Rests In Peace with Mary and Peter.

An ecumenical service will be held in Nicholas of Myra Church in Francis Street on 7th December at 7 pm.