Shawn was 'a very special person who certainly left an indelible imprint'
The stories told about Shawn ‘reveal a man who was generous without thinking twice, loyal without conditions and kind without expecting anything in return, a man who made people feel welcome, cared for and loved’
The funeral of a young County Derry man, who died suddenly last month, has taken place.
Shawn Keeley passed away ‘suddenly but peacefully’ on Saturday, May 23 in the Philippines, where he had been residing for a number of years.
The 32 year-old set off travelling after he became a millionaire following a £1million win on a scratchcard back in 2020.
Mr Keeley, who was a former manager at McNicholl’s Eurospar store in Dungiven, had purchased the lucky ‘£50m Mega Cash Showdown’ scratchcard in the shop.
Mourners at his requiem mass, held in St Patrick’s Church, Dungiven this morning (Thursday), were told of Shawn’s generous nature and how he always ‘put others before himself’.
Fr Seamus Kelly, Priest in Residence, said: “When we think of Shawn, there are so many stories that come to mind, stories that make us laugh, stories that remind us of his kindness and stories that show exactly the type of person he was.
“Shawn loved a good night out, who doesn't? In fact, many of us will remember ending a night with Shawn somehow walking home barefoot, not because he'd lost his shoes, but because he'd usually given them away to a girl whose feet were hurting so bad.
“It seems that going barefoot was nothing new to Shawn. E.J., his partner here, reminded us that when he lived in the Philippines, he was barefoot there too. Whether by choice or by generosity, shoes never seemed that important to him.
“What was important to Shawn was people. His kindness showed itself in countless ways. During Covid, when many people were worried about protecting their loved ones, Shawn moved out of the family home to help protect his brother, Christopher.
It wasn't always easy, but that's who Shawn was. He put others before himself. Of course, moving above Silky’s (restaurant in Dungiven) also came with the odd social distance gathering or two, which those who knew Shawn wouldn't be surprised to hear.”
Fr Kelly said one of Shawn’s greatest talents was his ability to connect with people.
“Somehow, no matter whom he met, he would find a family connection,” he continued.
“You could be talking to Shawn for five minutes and before long, he had worked out that your cousin knew his aunt, whose neighbour was somewhere related to someone else in the family.
“Shawn wasn't just related to everyone. He genuinely made everyone feel like his family. He is now called home to God's family.”
Shawn’s welcoming nature was also alluded to during the funeral mass.
“If you ever stayed with Shawn, you quickly learned what a wonderful host he was,” continued the priest.
“His home was your home. He would make everything, make sure everything was clean and make sure you were comfortable and without hesitation, give up his own bed if someone needed somewhere to sleep. More often than not, Shawn would end up sleeping at the table himself. In fact, he even managed to fall asleep at his own uncle's funeral with a little assistance from Lee. It's a story that perfectly captures Shawn's unique ability to find comfort anywhere.”
Mourners heard how the north Derry man loved to travel and appreciated all the opportunities he got to see the world.
“He cherished every holiday, every trip, every adventure, no matter where he was. If someone started complaining, Shawn had the perfect response: ‘sure, look where we are’,” Fr Kelly said.
“It was his way of reminding us to appreciate the moment, to enjoy life and not to take things for granted. In his short life, Shawn travelled far and wide, creating memories and friendships everywhere he went.”
Shawn, a finance graduate, also had a ‘mischievous side’, according to the priest.
“His love affair with cigarettes apparently started in Pellipar Lane when someone wrote a note pretending to be from granny Anne to get the fags. Once they had them, they were too scared to return with the half open box, so they decided to finish them instead. The result was exactly what you might expect, three of them violently sick,” laughed Fr Kelly.
“As he got older, Shawn still believed he could keep a few secrets. His method of choice was hiding in the bathroom with the shower running and having a cigarette out the window, which he often took from his father's box of cigarettes, convinced his mammy and daddy here would not catch on. Judging by what they had been told, he managed to keep that secret right up to now.”
Shawn was a man who loved fashion and was ‘always ahead of the trends’, the funeral heard.
“Not everyone understood his style, though,” Fr Kelly continued.
“Before one wedding, his granny Peggy took one look at his outfit and told him to go down to her room and get a wee pair of socks because his ankles would be frozen.
Whether he took her advice or not is another story, but it's one of those family moments that perfectly captures both Shawn's sense of style and the loving concerns of his granny Peggy.”
Shawn’s loyalty as a friend and how he was always there for others in their time of need was highlighted during the service.
“Shawn was a loyal friend, no matter the time of day or no matter how tired he was, no matter if he had just finished an eight hour shift managing the shop, if a friend needed him, Shawn was there. He would travel across the country without hesitation to help someone who was struggling or simply needed a friend. His patience seemed endless and his loyalty knew no limits.”
The priest also mentioned Shawn’s special bond with his family, particularly his younger brother Gauvin, his nieces and goddaughter.
“Like many brothers, they spent years winding each other up, but beneath it all was a bond built on love, loyalty and countless memories together.
“While Shawn was a devoted brother and friend, there was a particular special place in his heart for his nieces, Lexi and Olivia, and his goddaughter, Ava, the lovely letter written from her with his remains.”
Fr Kelly said the stories that Shawn’s family and friends tell about him, while funny, ‘reveal something much deeper’.
“They reveal a man who was generous without thinking twice, loyal without conditions and kind without expecting anything in return, a man who made people feel welcome, cared for and loved,” he said.
“Shawn's life may have been far too short, but the impact he had on those around him is immeasurable. His stories will continue to be told. His laughter will continue to be remembered and the love he gave so freely will continue to live on in all of us.
“And wherever we find ourselves complaining on a holiday, helping a friend or neighbour, looking round a room full of people we love, we'll hear Shawn's voice reminding us, ‘sure look where we are’.
“Our feelings today are centred very much on his wonderful mother, Tiney, and father, Noel, his brothers, Christopher, Paul and Gauvin, and his partner, E.J. It is difficult to come to terms with the void in their lives from the loss of such a special person.
“Everyone who knew Shawn loved him and he could see no wrong in anyone. Shawn was a very special person who certainly left an indelible imprint on this parish and also in the parish in the Philippines, which he has served so faithfully throughout his short life. Indeed, they had mass there for him before his remains were brought home. And also, he was a junior member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society here in Dungiven, showing from a very young age his care for people.
“Shawn was a man of faith and welcomed Jesus into his heart. Now, Jesus welcomes Shawn into his heart of infinite love and peace in the kingdom of heaven. May Shawn rest in peace.”
Cremation took place following the Requiem Mass.