Lobbinstown native, Sarah Halpenny had been living and working as a teacher in Melbourne.
A notice on the RIP.ie website said: “Sarah tragically passed away unexpectedly in Melbourne, Australia. Sarah will be forever remembered and greatly missed by her heartbroken partner Ciarán, parents David and Yvonne, sisters Emma and Grace, all surrounding family and her large of circle of friends.”
A statement online from St Joseph’s School in Kingscourt said Sarah was a person of warmth, kindness and an engaging personality that lit up every room she entered.
The statement went on to say she enriched the lives of so many young children and made a lasting difference through her care and enthusiasm and commitment to education.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist in bringing Sarah’s remains back to Ireland. The GoFundMe has amassed its initial target of €10,000 and currently stands at €125,180.
