MR JUSTICE Vivian Lavan had borne his illness with acceptance, strength and courage, his wife Una told mourners at his funeral Mass in Dublin yesterday.
She said his final journey began last October when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
His one one great wish to die at home was fulfilled because of the wonderful staff of the various medical teams, she added. “Vivian’s reaction on being told that he had a limited time left was to say ‘I have had a full life’,” she said.
Mr Justice Lavan, who retired early from the High Court because of ill-health, died on Saturday.
Ms Lavan told the overflow attendance at the Church of the Assumption, Booterstown, that her late husband’s illustrious career as a law student, barrister, senior counsel and High Court judge was well known
“It was chronicled and marked in a memorable way in court 2 on May 12th on the occasion of his retirement,” she said.
Ms Lavan said his greatest love was his family, adding that they had celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary a week ago with a Mass celebrated by parish priest Msgr Séamus Conway.
Ms Lavan said her husband had lived to see their four children launched on their career paths, with Sarah, the baby, cutting it a bit fine. She flew to London a few days before his death for a successful job interview.
“We toasted her success with champagne on Saturday evening, a few hours before he died,” Ms Lavan added. “I am glad to say he died with champagne on his lips. No better man.”
Four symbols were brought to the altar. Daughter Sarah said his Filofax represented his ability to make enduring friendships, his UCD rugby jumper, symbolic of his passion for the sport, a copy of Patrick O'Brian's HMS Surprisereflected his love of reading and the wig he wore as a High Court judge for more than 20 years.
The chief mourners were his wife Una, sons Myles and Viv, daughters Naomi and Sarah, daughters-in-law Joke and Leanne, granddaughters Amelia and Jessica and his sister Ann.
President Mary McAleese was represented by her aide-de-camp Comdt Michael Walsh.
The large attendance of judicial colleagues included Chief Justice Mrs Justice Susan Denham, predecessors Mr Justice John Murray and Mr Justice Ronan Keane, and Mr Justice Adrian Hardiman of the Supreme Court.
High Court judges present included Mr Justice Paul Carney, Mr Justice Declan Budd, Mr Justice John Quirke, Mr Justice Roderick Murphy, Mr Justice Henry Abbott, Mr Justice John Hedigan and Mr Justice John D Cooke.
Also present were former High Court presidents Mr Justice Richard Johnson and Mr Justice Frederick Morris.
The Circuit Court was represented by former president Mr Justice Esmond Smyth, Judge Donagh McDonagh and Judge Gerard Griffin.
Master of the High Court Edmund Honohan SC, former attorney general Paul Gallagher, and Judge Eugene Sullivan from the United States, were also there.
Mr Justice Lavan was buried in Redford Cemetery, Greystones, Co Wicklow.
