A heartbreaking joint funeral for a dad and daughter who died just hours apart heard that family was "at the heart of their lives”.
Huge crowds turned out to remember popular Patrick Devenney and Margaret Sullivan (nee Devanney) at the service at All Saints Church in Newtowncunningham, Co Donegal on Saturday afternoon.
Their deaths sent shockwaves through their local community and across the island. Patrick was a well-known sportsman and passed away on Wednesday at the Donegal Hospice after a battle with illness.
READ MORE: Irish community in 'disbelief' after father and daughter die just hours apart in unspeakable tragedy
The following day, the Devenney family were left devastated once again after learning of Margaret's sudden death on Thursday.
Speaking at their funeral mass on Saturday, Parish Priest Fr Philip Kemmy said: “This afternoon, the sun is shining but a dark cloud of grief hangs over this community and over the Devenney family in particular.”
Noting their popularity, Fr Kemmy said Patrick and his “beloved” daughter Margaret “seemed to be related to, or at least friends to, every home in the parish.”
He said: “Patrick and Margaret were very sociable and loved people. They were well known and well loved by so many. So many of those people are here with us today.
“They are all here to show their support and show how much these two meant to them, and how much you mean to them”.
A number of Patrick’s grandchildren brought objects forward to symbolise important aspects of both he and his daughter Margaret’s lives.
Patrick’s football boots were brought forward first, followed by two flags.
Fr Kemmy said: “He loved his sport. He graced the playing fields of Donegal and beyond with great competitiveness. Whether GAA or soccer he was a hard man to beat and a born winner.
“The two flags of the two teams he followed and loved the most, Donegal and Naomh Colmcille. Wherever they were, he followed them.”
For Margaret, a make-up bag and a welcome sign was shown to the congregation.
Fr Kemmy explained: “Firstly her makeup bag. Symbolic of her love for fashion and looking her best. Lookin’ well as everyone knows.
“And a welcome sign is brought forward to present the open, friendly, hospitable character she was. We’ll never forget how warm and funny and loving Margaret was.”
Finally a family photo was brought forward.
“Family was the heart of their lives for these two, family was, and is, so important to them. The photo is of happier times and as Christians we hold out in faith that we’ll be reunited again.”
Two of Margaret’s sisters, Arlene and Maria, said a few words, while her brother Brendan read out a poignant poem he had written for her.
Paying tribute to their father they said: “The one word we heard growing up all our lives about dad - absolute legend.
“We bought bits up today to symbolise how much dad loved GAA. Naomh Colmcille was his life. He boasted he never got a red card in his life but a referee told us last night they were actually too scared to send him off.
“He was so positive, we craved his company. He was so social and had loads of stories, we had the best craic.”
Noting their mothers “immeasurable strength” looking after him when he was sick, they said: “He was so positive. All the consultants, doctors were amazed at his mental strength right up to the very end.
“He created the most loving home for us, family was everything to dad. We’re so blessed to have so many memories to get us through this really tough time.
“One of last things he heard was ‘you're a hero dad’. Mum gave him a kiss and said it’s ok to go and he took his final breath .”
Before reading a touching poem he wrote for his Margaret, Brendan said: “I closed my eyes and I thought about Margaret and if you close your eyes now, you'll think of her smiling face that's the only way you can remember Margaret."
He then read out the poem entitled ‘To Margaret, My Beautiful Sister’.
Their joint funeral was followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.
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