‘An amazing mother’: Tributes pour in for Irish model Alli MacDonnell who passed away suddenly

By Jennifer McShane
04th Feb 2019

‘An amazing mother’: Tributes pour in for Irish model Alli MacDonnell who passed away suddenly

Tributes have been pouring in after the news broke on Monday evening that mum-of-four and Irish model Alli MacDonnell had passed away suddenly.

She was just 37-years-old and had four young children.

She was a regular fixture on Ireland AM where she modelled in fashion slots and was also devoted to campaigning for autism awareness after her son Harry was diagnosed.

Ali, who was from Rathfarnham, was an ambassador for charity Irish Autism Action, said at the time of her young son’s diagnosis that she didn’t know enough about his condition and felt there wasn’t enough resources or information to offer others in the same boat.

“I’m still trying to figure this out. I think every parent in this country with a child on the spectrum is still very confused about it,” she said of her son’s diagnosis in 2017. “You’re given a diagnosis and you’re told, ‘There you go.’ But no, what’s the next step?”

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Many on social media have referred to the model as “a beautiful soul” who had gone too soon.

“To a beautiful person inside & out. Shared so many laughs with this gorgeous girl. Far too young to be taken away. Heaven has gained an angel. RIP Alli MacDonnell,” said weatherman and documentary maker, Deric Ó h’Artagáin on Twitter.

Autism Ireland CEO Samantha Judge said Alli MacDonnell was an amazing mother and a tireless campaigner for autism.

“Alli was an amazing mother, a beautiful woman, inside and out. She was a very strong voice for autism as a mother, and she was so supportive of her children and of the charity,” she told the Irish Independent.

Fellow model Roz Purcell also offered her condolences.