Former Texas Rose remembered as O'Sullivan takes crown

2010 Texas rose Adrienne Hussey tragically passed away after suffering a brain aneurysm less than 18 months after charming audiences at the Rose of Tralee.

The brunette beauty, who was originally from Plano in the southern State, died within days of the illness occurring and despite the best efforts of doctors at Beaumont Hospital.

The 26-year-old with Irish roots in Waterford and Dublin had been living in the Irish capital since late 2011, after she started dating her 2010 escort Eoin Treanor.

Her tragic passing led to an outpouring of grief on both sides of the Atlantic, with many other rose contestants who took part the same year as Ms Hussey keeping a vigil at her hospital bedside.

At the time of her death, Rose festival general manager Oliver Hurley said the passing had caused "great sadness" amid the competition's community.

Ms Hussey worked with at-risk young people, including a number who were on probation and had been turned away from their schools.

The American, who held a masters degree in social work from the University of Texas, had also been an Irish dancer from the age of four.

After returning to Ireland in late 2011, she said: "Having the chance to be a Rose was an opportunity of a lifetime and I can honestly say it has changed my life in more ways than one.”