Sophie Coll Remembered in Circle of Life Garden

When Sophie Coll from Barna died suddenly and unexpectedly in September 2017 while studying in Limerick her family altruistically donated her organs for transplantation.  

On New Year’s Eve 2019, Sophie’s sisters, Stephanie and Abbie, and her many friends organised a Ball in the Galmont Hotel in Galway in her memory and raised funds for three charities, Strange Boat Donor Foundation/Circle of Life Garden;  Anam Cara; and Coláiste Iognáid (The Jes) Basketball.

Sophie’s family visited the Circle of Life Garden last week and presented a cheque for €5,550 to Martina & Denis Goggin who, through their charity, Strange Boat Donor Foundation, created the Garden which is dedicated to organ donors and their families.

(From left)  Sophie's dad, Rory, her sister's Abbie and Stephanie, Martina, Sophie's mom, Carol, and Denis)

Stephanie and Abbie also planted a rose in the garden’s “Memory Walk”, called “Fragrant Cloud”, in Sophie’s memory.

Martina & Denis were overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness of the Coll Family in their time of heartache, and thanked the many people who supported the fundraising event on New Year’s Eve last and for the very generous donation to Strange Boat Donor Foundation.

Sophie’s family in the Circle of Life Garden:  

(from left) her uncle Brian, father Rory, sisters Abbie and Stephanie, her mother Carol, and Sophie’s grandmother, Rita with Martina & Denis.