Jillian Daly, 24

Grieving family and friends of Jillian Daly bid her a final farewell Tuesday at a funeral Mass at St. Agnes Cathedral. The 24-year-old died unexpectedly on Oct. 14 from complications of a blood disorder.

A 2004 graduate of South Side High School, Jillian was co-captain of the Red team that prevailed in the annual Red & Blue competition in her senior year. She went on to Sacred Heart University where she became the captain of the swimming and gymnastic teams. She graduated from Sacred Heart in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and was working at Winthrop-University Hospital at the time of her death.

“We’ve heard so many wonderful things about her,” said her mother, Virginia. “What a delight, her smile... they called her ‘Sunshine.’”

“She’s had so many friends and she’s touched so many people,” her mother added. “She was a wonderful nurse and we’ve heard how her patients loved her. She was the light of our life. She had a zest for life and didn’t like to sit around.”

Her parents recounted that one of Jillian’s friends commented on how much she had accomplished in her 24 years. “Not many people have a calling, do it and impact so many people in [so] a short time,” her mother said.  

Her father, Robert, said that support for the family has been overwhelming. Friends from Jillian’s childhood, schools, work and the village have all rallied around them.

“The outpouring of community support we’re seeing,” he said, “is blowing my mind.”

In addition to her parents, Virginia and Robert, Jillian was the beloved sister of Ryan and his fiancé Casey Endy, and the cherished granddaughter of Helen and the late Joseph Versaggi, the late Audrey and the late Matthew Daly. She also was the adored niece of Stephen and Gayle Daly, Patricia and Joseph Scaduto, Joan and Donal Rudolph, Rosemary and William Pentoney, Arline and Joseph Versaggi, and the dear cousin of Nick and Beau, Matt and Mike, Greg, Doug and Christian, Alyssa, Joey and John.

Jillian lay in repose at Macken Mortuary last Sunday and Monday. In lieu of flowers, her parents said they would appreciate that donations in her name be made to Winthrop-University Hospital, Development Office, 290 Old Country Road, Mineola, NY, 11501.