A community was united in grief on Monday, July 7, as the joint funeral of Natalie McLaughlin and her six-year-old daughter Ella took place in Carndonagh, Co Donegal.
Two white coffins arrived side by side at The Sacred Heart Church, where the young mother and her daughter were laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery following a devastating car crash last week.
Natalie, a nurse in her 20s, and Ella, a senior infants pupil, tragically lost their lives in a collision involving a car and a van in Glentogher on Wednesday evening.
Hundreds of mourners lined the streets in solemn tribute, joining the funeral procession through the town. Among them were Ella’s classmates, who formed a poignant guard of honour outside the church.
During the funeral Mass, emotional tributes were paid by family members who remembered Natalie and Ella as loving, vibrant, and full of life. Symbols of their lives were brought to the altar- a nurse’s uniform representing Natalie’s dedication to her profession, and for Ella, a teddy bear and a photograph of her embracing her baby sister, Rhea Rose.
Ella’s aunt, Lara McLaughlin, shared a moving eulogy, capturing the spirit and personality of her young niece.
"For a girl so young, there is absolutely no doubt, she was entirely sure of who she was. So outgoing, so intelligent and she lived such a full life in her very short six years," she said.
"Her most recent holiday to Portugal, just two weeks ago, she learned how to swim, play chess and do magic tricks. Our perfect, crazy girl with her cheeky little face and sassy attitude. It was easy for Ella to leave a lasting impression on everyone she met."
Natalie McLaughlin and her daughter Ella. (Eamonn McLaughlin Funeral Director)
Natalie’s brother, Tiarnan McLaughlin, also paid tribute to his sister, reflecting on her warmth, strength, and deep love for her family.
"Natalie loved her job. She was an amazing nurse, which is no wonder, because she was such a kind, caring, loving and vibrant young woman who made anyone feel welcome with a smile and soft spoken nature," he said.
"We would always hear people rave about the excellent care and compassion Natalie would give… As a mother, she took care of two beautiful children who were always reminded that they were the most loved in the world."
Prayers were also offered for Natalie’s partner, Tyrone Irwin, who remains in hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, along with their two-year-old daughter Rhea Rose, who was also injured in the crash.
*This article was originally published on Extra.ie.
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