17-year-old Mia died in hospital after becoming unwell at the Emerge dance music festival in Belfast last week.
Her funeral mass was held in St Nicholas’ Church in her native Carrick-On-Suir on Saturday morning. Mourners were asked to wear light or bright-coloured clothing in Mia’s memory.
The Tom Odell song Another Love was played at the beginning of the service.
Symbols brought to the altar to represent Mia’s life included a photograph, car keys, a vape, hair straighteners, tan, nails and lashes.
A touching eulogy was delivered by Mia’s older sister Kyah, who thanked the local community in Carrick-On-Suir for their support over the past few days.
Mia Keevan
Today’s News in 90 Seconds – Saturday, August 30
“We would like to thank everyone for everything you have done for us over the past week. It’s amazing to see the people of Carrick-On-Suir and beyond come together and help our family in our time of need.
“We are so grateful for all the food, flowers, donations and time that people gave us.
“Also, thank you to Father Paul and the church as well as Joe Byrne the undertaker for his compassion and guidance in this difficult time.
“Mia was feisty, loving and full of life. She could eat you without salt and tell you exactly what she thought, whether you wanted to hear it or not.
“If she didn’t like your outfit, you’d know about it. That honesty was part of her charm. She was real, unique, and that’s what made her so special.”
Kyah said her sister had “this way of making everyone laugh” and “you couldn’t stay mad at her for long”.
“She ran her own race, always on her terms, and we loved that about her. She had big dreams – visiting me in Australia was one, and there was always new ones popping into her head, every single minute.”
Mia’s first car, which she had just bought recently, “was her absolute pride and joy, even if her driving might have needed some work”.
“Over the last couple of months, Mia was the happiest she had ever been. Everything was falling into place and some of her dreams had come true – her car, her boyfriend Jack, and she was so close to her 18th birthday.”
“We all fought, as families do. But the thing about her was she never held a grudge. We could argue one minute, and the next she’d be chatting away about something else as if nothing happened.
“She loved deeply, and when she loved you, you felt it. She was fiercely loyal. You weren’t her true friend if she hadn’t blocked you at some point.
“What happened to her was tragic, and there are no words that can make sense of it. But what I do know, is that her spirit, her laughter, her honesty, her dreams and her love will never leave us.
“She lived her life boldly and she made an impact on everyone who knew her. Rest easy Mia, you will always be with us.”
Along with Kyah, Mia is mourned by her mother Debbie, her sisters Jade and Sophia, her grandparents Marie and Eddie, Angela and Noel, and Tonnie, her boyfriend Jack, her sisters partners Jamie and Nathan, and her best friends Ella, Jayden and Keeley.
She was predeceased by her father Alan and her aunt Jacinta.