Tributes have been paid to 'one in a million' Derry woman Rebecca Browne who died after being hit by a Garda car in Co Donegal.
The funeral for the much loved 21-year-old will take place on Friday, May 26, after she was killed following a collision with a Garda car in Buncrana in the early hours of Sunday, May 21.
Rebecca has left behind her heartbroken parents Jeremiah and Lynn and her brother Ethan, with her death bring much sadness to all who knew her.
Read more: Co Derry woman struck by Garda car remembered in heartbreaking tributes
A statement on Funeral Times said: "21st May 2023 beloved daughter of Jeremiah and Lynn, 90 Elaghmore Park, loving sister of Ethan, devoted granddaughter of Michael and the late Jean Browne and Ray Smith and the late Linda Wright and a much loved niece and cousin.
"Funeral from her home on Friday at 9.25 am for 10am Requiem Mass in St Joseph’s Church, Galliagh. Interment afterwards in the City cemetery. The Mass will be viewed live via the church webcam or via the link below."
Rebecca's friend and colleague from Sage Hair & Beauty, Ashleigh Coyle, said that there were "a lot of broken hearts in Derry" following her passing and that she "blessed" to know such a caring, compassionate and fun-loving person.
Ashleigh Coyle said: "It is beyond an understatement to simply say, ‘there are a lot of broken hearts in Derry this week’ but by god, it is so true. The feelings, yesterday morning, after being wakened by a phone call with such tragic information, are quite literally indescribable.
"You started four and a half years ago on Day 1 of Sage Hair & Beauty. Nothing made Karen and myself more proud of you, than watching your passion, love and talent grow as well as watching you overcome some of life’s most difficult & challenging battles.
"My heart hurts all the more for Karen.
"You were always more of a little sister than a colleague and that, I’m sure you did know. You made me laugh until I cried, you frustrated me beyond belief, you made sure I felt a million dollars regularly, you often gave me the worst advice known to man, you never judged a single thing I did or said and you constantly had me worrying to a new level with your mischievous weekend antics.
"I wish I had have squeezed you a little tighter when you hugged me last, I wish I made more of an effort with my final goodbye when we last spoke and I wish more than anything, that I told you more often just how much I loved you.
"I don’t know ‘another’ Rebecca. I am blessed to have been able to experience a part of my life with a girl who was so care free, thoughtful, passionate & full of craic.
"Rebecca loved life, Rebecca loved people, Rebecca loved making everyone feel good and Rebecca was the epitome of ‘not giving one sh!t about what people thought about her’.
"I’m struggling with the fact that you constantly reminded me (especially when stressed) about how short life really is & now you’ve been so cruelly taken from us at only 21.
"Please give your parents, brother & everyone who loved & adored you, the strength to get through this."
Derry community organisation for young people, On Street Community Youth, paid tribute to Rebecca saying: "Staff and volunteers at OSCY are deeply saddened by the news of the loss of Rebecca Browne. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends during this very difficult time.
"We had the pleasure of knowing Rebecca through our programs and know how well thought of she was by all her friends, we know yous will all be there for eachother as yous suffer yet another unimaginable loss."
Rebecca's former school, St. Thérèse's Primary School, Lenamore, paid tribute to the 21-year-old saying: "The school community of St Thérèse’s Primary School are deeply saddened to hear news of the untimely passing of past pupil, Rebecca Browne. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this time."
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