Town at standstill as road tragedy mother and daughter laid to rest
Natalie, who was in her 20s, and Ella, 6, died following a collision between a car and a van near Carndonagh in Donegal last Wednesday, July 2.
Natalie's partner Tyrone and the couple's two-year-old child Rhea Rose also suffered serious injuries in the tragedy, just two weeks after a family holiday in Portugal.
Tears flowed today as the two white coffins of Natalie and Ella were brought to the altar for their joint funeral Mass. A beautiful photograph of the devoted mother and her little girl was placed beside them.
Tyrone and Rhea Rose with Natalie's parents Joanne and Danny McLaughlin were comforted by Parish Priest Fr Con McLaughlin who said Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Carndonagh.
He said the 'community has come together in sadness' and is 'joined by people from all over Ireland' as the country mourned the 'unspeakable' tragedy.
He said that as separate ambulances carried Natalie and Ella away to hospital, he thought of their family's devastation and said that a 'cross has been firmly nailed to these families today'.
He spoke of the 'unspeakable loss' for Natalie's partner Tyrone and Rhea Rose and her parents Joanne and Danny McLaughlin.
Fr McLaughlin prayed that the 'unspeakable pain, an emptiness in our hearts today, will ease' in time.
He said it was appropriate that 'grey skies' were overhead with only the 'footsteps of those carrying the coffin' breaking the silence.
The family priest recalled how the victims set off in their red Opel Corsa on a journey 'which would rob them of their young lives'. He said, despite the 'gallant efforts of the emergency services, only two of the occupants survived'.
Fr McLaughlin said: 'My abiding memory is of little Rhea Rose, only 18 months old, drifting in and out of consciousness and how she would raise up her little arms as if she wanted to be lifted up.
'She had two broken legs. Her granny showed photos from happier times on a recent family holiday. The scene revived memories for me when I was in Buncrana where there were multiple car tragedies.
'Natalie's mother said her only consolation was that they are together.'
Fr McLaughlin spoke of a photograph 'that we have all seen this week' and mourners wept openly as Fr Con held up the picture at the Mass.
Gifts, including Natalie's nurse's uniform and some of Ella's toys, were then carried to the altar, followed by the song Die With A Smile from Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga.
Fr McLaughlin held up a photo of Ella and said 'this is the song that Ella would sing around the house' and said that she and mum Natalie are now 'united in paradise'.
In two eulogies, delivered by emotional loved ones, mourners were told: 'Our Nat was the best big sister, mum, friend, niece, cousin, and daughter.
'She put everyone before herself, maybe sometimes a bit too much at times. It was obvious how much of a caring person she was.
'When you asked Natalie for help, you already knew the answer. She was just that loving and thoughtful.
'When Nat asked, 'how are you?', you could see how much she genuinely cared.
'As a mother, she took care of two beautiful children, who were always reminded that they were the most loved in the world.
'Natalie would always make you feel loved and always made time for you, even if she didn't have it.
'Natalie loved her job and was an amazing nurse, which is no wonder as she was such a kind, caring, loving and vibrant young woman, who would make anyone feel welcome with her smile and soft-spoken nature.
'I know you are listening, Nat. You know how much everyone loves you.'
Mourners were also told: 'Our little Ella had six years and, although six years doesn't sound like a very long time, it is very hard to remember life before Ella.
'She was the light of our lives and the centre of our entire world. For a girl so young, there is absolutely no doubt that she was entirely sure of who she was.
'She was so outgoing, so intelligent, and lived such a full life in those very short six years. On her recent holiday to Portugal, just two weeks ago, she learned how to swim and play chess.
'With her perfect little girl, with her beautiful face and sassy attitude, it was easy for Ella to leave a lasting impression on everyone she met.
'For the last six years, we have been kept entirely entertained and happy on our toes. Ella had the biggest personality and the sweetest soul.
'She was pure and had the ability to love so intensely with tight cuddles and showers of kisses, plus finding love notes she had placed around the house.
'We will love and miss you, Ella, every second of every day for ever.'
Natalie, who was in her 20s, was a nurse in a local surgery in Carndonagh while Ella was in Senior Infants at the town's St Patrick's Girls' National School.
They were buried in the adjoining cemetery of Carndonagh's Sacred Heart Church.
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