Paul Kierans

Paul Bernard Kierans 1958, April 28 - 2024, April 23.

Paul was born into the Kierans family, gifted with Down's syndrome which enabled him to be the most loving and intuitive of us all. He has always been our shining North star. His devoted and loving parents, living in Sudbury ON at his birth, were Tom and Mary (Mulligan) Kierans. Paul was the youngest of his brothers and sisters, Mae Kierans, North Bay, ON, Tom (MariJo) Longueuil, QC, Murray, RIP, (Cate), Collingwood, ON, Brenda (Len) Wahlen, Malahat, BC, Michael (Dagmar, RIP) Prague, CZ, Teresa RIP, (Jim) Spurr, Coquitlam, BC, Harry, RIP (Silvana, RIP), Burnaby and Kathleen Walker, Coquitlam.

He was loved and admired by his many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. He ignored the “no double superlatives” rule in English; EVERYONE was his best sister, best brother and best friend.

There were few supports in Sudbury for special children when Paul was born, so his resourceful mother Mary created them including a nursery school and a support group for parents.

When Paul was 10, his family moved to Montreal, and when he was 17, he moved to Toronto. He moved finally to Burnaby in 1989 when he was 31 and was accepted into L'Arche in May 1992 where he has thrived and blossomed for 32 years, almost half his life; his mother Mary was an early L'Arche volunteer. Our family cannot thank L’Arche enough for all the kind, loving and skillful care they took of our best brother all these years. The staff, assistants, volunteers, board members; thank you forever.

Paul suffered a massive stroke April 13 and was lovingly and superbly cared for by each caregiver at Burnaby General Hospital. We are deeply grateful to all of them. He died peacefully April 23 with his mother’s rosary in his hand and Celine, Christopher and Mae at his side.

Paul was very prayerful. Like his patron St. Paul, his life calling was to show how to "Love your neighbour" and how he excelled! He also showed us how to live life to the fullest: coffee, parties, movies with Michael; music concerts, sports (always seen wearing a team cap), crafts with his sister Brenda, who hand-made many hero Halloween costumes for him, McDonald’s and more. He loved to work, especially helping in his home at Crossing House where Celine Verdoucq the House Leader who knew Paul and all his Kierans family for twenty five years, was his "best house nurse" and friend. In her words, Paul was kind, generous and brought a sense of calm and gentle presence to his home where he was a silent pillar of strength; he brought people together wherever he went.

Paul fulfilled his mission among us beautifully: love one another. God has welcomed him to his reward, everlasting joy in heaven where we will all someday be together again forever. We love you Paul. You are our best brother forever!

Funeral visitation at 10:00am Wednesday May 1, 2024 at St. Mary’s Church, Joyce St. Vancouver followed by funeral Mass at 11:00am, followed by burial in Gardens of Gethsemani in Surrey.

In lieu of flowers, donations to L'Arche Vancouver Foundation would be appreciated.

https://larchevancouver.org/support-us/ 

#6 – 7541 Conway Avenue
Burnaby BC
V5E 2P7