Countless messages of support and gratitude from across the nation continue to pour in for the family of a 23-year-old Pennsylvania woman whose frank portrayal of her struggle with heroin addiction and overdose-related death have resonated beyond Central Pennsylvania.

The obituary for Delaney Farrell has be shared on Facebook nearly 50,000 times and her family continues to receive messages of hope and support. She was found dead Saturday from an overdose in a bathroom stall in a hotel where she was working in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. 

“The messages coming in thanking us for putting that in the obituary are unbelievable,” said Brian Farrell, of Selinsgrove, who along with his wife, Bridget, spoke with The Sunbury, Pennsylvania Daily Item on Thursday about the widespread reaction to their daughter’s story.   

The Farrells openly acknowledged their daughter’s cause of death from a heroin overdose after years of addiction and included in the obituary a note she recently penned to her older sister, Anastasia, 26, about the pain and struggles she endured.

“Funny, I don’t remember no good dope days,” the note begins.

The family was willing to be open about Delaney’s addiction in the hopes that it might help someone else.

Expressing sympathy for the family’s loss, Kristy Nydam, of Chicago, Illinois, reached out to Brian Farrell on Facebook to let him know what it meant to her to read his daughter’s words.

“I’ve battled this demon off and on for 15 years,” Nydam wrote. “I had a great run of recovery for five years prior to this year of struggling. I needed to read your daughter’s message today on day three of (my) detoxing. This epidemic doesn’t discriminate.”

Another woman said she was pleased with the family’s willingness to share its tragic story.

“I’m grateful for the candidness of the obituary. Too many overdose deaths are shrouded in shame and secrecy,” wrote Rebecca Warner, of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.

From Elizabeth Davidson Tucker, of North Carolina, came this: “I do not know you or your family. I read this on Facebook from a post of your precious child’s obit. I was so touched by the obit I searched to see if you had a Facebook page. My husband and I give our heartfelt condolences to you and your family. I pray this honest and loving obit will touch others dealing with drug addiction. May God give you and your entire family comfort and peace. I am so sorry for the loss of your precious daughter.”

To Anastasia Farrell, Paula Ellis wrote: “This hits home in Indiana as it’s happening every day here. Her poem was very touching. Please keep sharing her writings if you have any more. Her poem touched my heart and would be helpful to others who are struggling.” 

Josett Bucy sent a post telling how she lives in a “small town in Maryland where the addiction has taken so many. Her words are powerful and brought me to tears. She seemed to be a beautiful spirit who got lost in life. She’s not alone, and neither is your family. If everyone put their story out as you’ve done, then maybe as a whole we can all beat drugs. Spread the awareness. Thank you for your story.”

Bridget Farrell is aware of the support but is still struck by the negative tone of some of the comments being made in response to her child’s obituary.

“Most responses have been very supportive, but you have these people that say it’s a choice and selfish and all that stuff,” she said.

The Farrells hope Delaney’s story shows that addiction is not a choice, but a disease, similar, Brian Farrell said, to the person who picks up a beer or a cupcake and can’t put it down. It is a disease that needs community action, he said.

“I don’t know,” Bridget Farrell said, sighing with a sorrowful heaviness. “With all this awareness, I still don’t know what the answer is.”

Moore writes for the Sunbury, Pennsylvania Daily Item.