SISTER'S FAREWELL TO A BEST FRIEND
Sister's farewell to a 'best friend'
By MARTINA DEVLIN
IT WAS billed as a reading in the order of service pamphlet, but Denise Wilson looked to her sister's life rather than the Bible for inspiration.
"We were like two halves that fitted together," she said, speaking from the heart, at Lorraine Wilson's funeral. She was more than a sister to me, she was a best friend."
The young woman, auburn curls piled high on her head, stood at the altar and struggled to contain her emotion as she shared her memories of a much-loved 15-year-old sister. "She was my parents' wee angel , the way she cared for them," said Denise (21).
"There was never a time she didn't put her arms around me and tell everything was going to be better."
Denise gazed into the congregation at Cappagh Parish Church towards her parents Godfrey and Ann, towards her brothers Garry (20) and Colin (10). Omagh-born Lorraine died in the explosion along-side her friend her friend Samantha McFarland.
Samantha's funeral takes place today.
Among the hundreds gathered at the church was a young couple also injured last Saturday.
Gary Lyons (22) had a bandage on the back of his neck covering eight stitches. Clinging to him was 17-year-old Elaine Martin, a schoolfriend of Lorraine's with stitches in her shoulder.
Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry and Raphoe James Mehaffey appealed to the young people present to dedicate their lives to peace and said the older generation could learn from their example.
In the churchyard, Sligo-Leitrim TD Matt Brennan told how the Taoiseach had personally asked him to attend Lorraine's funeral as well as Aidan Gallagher's.
By MARTINA DEVLIN
IT WAS billed as a reading in the order of service pamphlet, but Denise Wilson looked to her sister's life rather than the Bible for inspiration.
"We were like two halves that fitted together," she said, speaking from the heart, at Lorraine Wilson's funeral. She was more than a sister to me, she was a best friend."
The young woman, auburn curls piled high on her head, stood at the altar and struggled to contain her emotion as she shared her memories of a much-loved 15-year-old sister. "She was my parents' wee angel , the way she cared for them," said Denise (21).
"There was never a time she didn't put her arms around me and tell everything was going to be better."
Denise gazed into the congregation at Cappagh Parish Church towards her parents Godfrey and Ann, towards her brothers Garry (20) and Colin (10). Omagh-born Lorraine died in the explosion along-side her friend her friend Samantha McFarland.
Samantha's funeral takes place today.
Among the hundreds gathered at the church was a young couple also injured last Saturday.
Gary Lyons (22) had a bandage on the back of his neck covering eight stitches. Clinging to him was 17-year-old Elaine Martin, a schoolfriend of Lorraine's with stitches in her shoulder.
Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry and Raphoe James Mehaffey appealed to the young people present to dedicate their lives to peace and said the older generation could learn from their example.
In the churchyard, Sligo-Leitrim TD Matt Brennan told how the Taoiseach had personally asked him to attend Lorraine's funeral as well as Aidan Gallagher's.
Further Information
Publisher: IRISH INDEPENDENT
Ref: II/066
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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