McGlanaghey, Caroline Marie
June 30, 2005
The Late Caroline Marie McGlanaghey
"Her life was a shining light among us", said Fr Eoighin O'Frighil at the funeral of 19-year old Caoline Marie McGlanaghey. Her tragic death has left her family the entire community of Donegal Town in a state of shock and devastation.
The high regard in which Caroline was held and the number of peoples' lives she touched was evident as close to one thousand mourners arrived at St Mary's Church, Killymard to say their final goodbye to a girl who had been an integral part of the community.
The mass was celebrated by Fr O'Frighil, parish priest Killymard, and concelebrated by Fr John McLoone, PP Frosses, Fr Willie Peoples and Fr Adrian Gavigan, St Patrick's Donegal Town. Hymns were sung by the Killymard choir with Deirdre McLaughlin providing a piano accompaniment and flautist, Eileen Carr. The soloist was Carmel Jordan.
In a heart reading eulogy Fr O'Frighil extolled the virtues of the life which Caroline led.
"As I look down at the congregation the relevance of those words I have just spoken came to light". Referring to the Gospel passage he had just read Fr O'Frighil said: 'The very stone will cry out".
"You are here and if I didn't express your sentiments of sorrow and admiration for Caroline Marie you would shout out too.
"I look down and I see the face of God; Jesus wept over the death of his friend Lazarus. And there is nothing wrong with weeping or the dropping of tears. They are tears not just for sorrow, but of love, admiration and appreciation of Caroline.
"Still in her late teens her energy and youth has been taken. And how she encompassed life. She was a person who had enthusiasm for life and everything in it".
She was interested in all kinds of sport and her involvement in it set her as a person at heart and her commitment spilled over to her friends, family and fellow workers.
Added the chief celebrant: " Caroline had a short life but we are not just crying tears of sorrow, but the tears over her friendliness, her smile, her selfessnes and her great respect for other people."
Referring to an article he had read recently, Fr O'Frighil spoke of a man who said: "I feel so sorry for young people today, they have no dreams and their world is flat." He continued: "The world of Caroline Marie was in no way flat. She brought the spirit and her vigour of life into everything."
Not wanting to detract from the mourning of Caroline's death, Father O'Frighil also paid tribute to her father John McGlanaghey, of whom he said: " Caroline didn't steal her interest in sport, her father John has given a great deal of time to supporting, promoting and helping young people to become involved in sport and get away from other destructive past times" Speaking to Caroline's father, Fr O'Frighil said: "John, this community thanks you for supporting our young people. And we also recognise the unfaltering support of your wife Mary who was there as a great backing for the entire family.
"Caroline was a person of great integrity, gentleness and kindness. She was approachable and brought a smile at work. She was happy to serve and would do anything to help you. Her life was a shinning light among us.
" We gather here to lament her passing, but it is not all a valley of tears. There is great joy and happiness in the world. There is contentment and peace, but we have to create it, and Caroline Marie made great strides to create her own kind of world."
Father O'Frighil continued that the world Caroline had created was the kind of world we want for our young people. "Life meant so much for her. Sport was her life and God will reward her for a life well spent."
As Caroline's remains left the church for burial in Killymard graveyard a guard of honour was formed by a number of different groups in which Caroline was involved. The 'No Name Club', Naomh Brid and Four Masters GAA Clubs and Donegal Town soccer clubs united in grief to form a fitting tribute to a young girl who gave so much to each of them and will be dearly missed by everyone involved.
Caroline's passion for sport was also refected in the Four Masters flag which draped over her coffin and her beloved GAA county strip in which she was buried.
She is survived by her parents, Mary and John, brothers Mark and Peter and sister Lisa. She was an immensely popular girl and her untimely death has left a void in the hearts of her friends and family, she will be dearly missed and forever remembered by everyone who knew her.
Courtesy of the Donegal Democrat
30th June 2005
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