NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE THE EVIL ACTIONS OF PERPETRATORS OF ATROCITY
No words to describe the evil actions of perpetrators of atrocity'
THE former minister of Seskinore Presbyterian Church said a woman killed in the Omagh bomb had been able to see her grandson on the day he was born, just a few hours before the dreadful event of August 15.
Rev. Albin Rankin said that memory of Veda Short was one he knew would become more and more special to her family.
Mrs. Short was buried following her service in Seskinore. It was conducted by Rev. Lindsay Blair, and the Presbyterian Moderator also took part.
Upwards of 1,000 people turned out to pay their respects to the 56-year-old mother of four who was killed in Omagh on Saturday along with two of her friends who worked alongside her in Watterson's Shop.
The hundreds who could not get into the small church in the village, stood outside in stunned silence.
Mr. Rankin, who had been the minister at Seskinore and is now in Ballymoney, said no words were left in the English language which could adequately cover the feelings of utter horror and revulsion at the devastation inflicted on Omagh. He said there were no words to describe the evil actions of the perpetrators of the atrocity.
"There are no words to describe the heartache, the pain, and the utter and complete grief that this community, this congregation and this family are experiencing. What makes it worse it that we are not alone. Every part of Omagh grieves today as it did yesterday, as it will tomorrow and the day after that. No words can ever give voice to such emotion." he said.
Kind hearted
Mr. Rankin continued: " And yet while our language fails us in all these ways, it does not fail us when we come to think of Veda. There are so many words I can use to describe Veda. A lovely, kindhearted, generous person; a sincere and supportive friend; a willing and eager helper; a person who gave so much to so many and asked tor nothing in return." he said.
He told the packed church of the last time he spoke with Mrs. Short, the night of his installation in Ballymoney.
"As I shook her hand that night as she left the church she whispered through the tears 'we're going to miss you.' Little did either of us think that a few short weeks later I would be here to whisper along with all who have gathered here 'we're going to miss you Veda'," he added.
He told Mrs. Short's husband, William, that there was no one who could fully appreciate what he. must be feeling. He said everyone had gathered to express their sympathy, their sorrow and deep, deep love to him.
"You have been robbed of a loving, caring and devoted wife, and our hearts and prayers go out to you," he said.
Mr. Rankin told Mrs. Short's grown-up children, Frances, Ian, Elaine and Alison, that they knew how special their mum had been to them and how proud she was of each of them.
"Veda loved her family and took great delight in her children and grandchildren. That she was able to see her grandson, Lee, on the day he was born just a few short hours before the dreadful event is a memory I know will become more and more special to you all," he continued.
Unique
Mr. Rankin said everyone else would have special and unique memories of this lovely lady and he hoped that in due season the memories would begin to provide some comfort and solace.
''I for one will always recall the lovely smile that filled her face and the gentle and kind way in which she spoke." he said.
He went on; "Veda played a full and active part in this community and in this congregation. There is no doubt that our lives will be the poorer for her sudden and tragic passing. We have lost a very special person.
"And yet in the middle of all this confusion , all this heartache and despair, there is hope. There is something for us to cling to. Veda was not just a woman with a kind heart and a generous heart for her family, her friends and all she came in contact with.
"Veda also had a heart for her God. She was a woman with a clear, firm, Christian faith. Her security was in Jesus. We therefore have the assurance today that Veda, while separated from us, in not separated from her Lord," Mr. Rankin said.
THE former minister of Seskinore Presbyterian Church said a woman killed in the Omagh bomb had been able to see her grandson on the day he was born, just a few hours before the dreadful event of August 15.
Rev. Albin Rankin said that memory of Veda Short was one he knew would become more and more special to her family.
Mrs. Short was buried following her service in Seskinore. It was conducted by Rev. Lindsay Blair, and the Presbyterian Moderator also took part.
Upwards of 1,000 people turned out to pay their respects to the 56-year-old mother of four who was killed in Omagh on Saturday along with two of her friends who worked alongside her in Watterson's Shop.
The hundreds who could not get into the small church in the village, stood outside in stunned silence.
Mr. Rankin, who had been the minister at Seskinore and is now in Ballymoney, said no words were left in the English language which could adequately cover the feelings of utter horror and revulsion at the devastation inflicted on Omagh. He said there were no words to describe the evil actions of the perpetrators of the atrocity.
"There are no words to describe the heartache, the pain, and the utter and complete grief that this community, this congregation and this family are experiencing. What makes it worse it that we are not alone. Every part of Omagh grieves today as it did yesterday, as it will tomorrow and the day after that. No words can ever give voice to such emotion." he said.
Kind hearted
Mr. Rankin continued: " And yet while our language fails us in all these ways, it does not fail us when we come to think of Veda. There are so many words I can use to describe Veda. A lovely, kindhearted, generous person; a sincere and supportive friend; a willing and eager helper; a person who gave so much to so many and asked tor nothing in return." he said.
He told the packed church of the last time he spoke with Mrs. Short, the night of his installation in Ballymoney.
"As I shook her hand that night as she left the church she whispered through the tears 'we're going to miss you.' Little did either of us think that a few short weeks later I would be here to whisper along with all who have gathered here 'we're going to miss you Veda'," he added.
He told Mrs. Short's husband, William, that there was no one who could fully appreciate what he. must be feeling. He said everyone had gathered to express their sympathy, their sorrow and deep, deep love to him.
"You have been robbed of a loving, caring and devoted wife, and our hearts and prayers go out to you," he said.
Mr. Rankin told Mrs. Short's grown-up children, Frances, Ian, Elaine and Alison, that they knew how special their mum had been to them and how proud she was of each of them.
"Veda loved her family and took great delight in her children and grandchildren. That she was able to see her grandson, Lee, on the day he was born just a few short hours before the dreadful event is a memory I know will become more and more special to you all," he continued.
Unique
Mr. Rankin said everyone else would have special and unique memories of this lovely lady and he hoped that in due season the memories would begin to provide some comfort and solace.
''I for one will always recall the lovely smile that filled her face and the gentle and kind way in which she spoke." he said.
He went on; "Veda played a full and active part in this community and in this congregation. There is no doubt that our lives will be the poorer for her sudden and tragic passing. We have lost a very special person.
"And yet in the middle of all this confusion , all this heartache and despair, there is hope. There is something for us to cling to. Veda was not just a woman with a kind heart and a generous heart for her family, her friends and all she came in contact with.
"Veda also had a heart for her God. She was a woman with a clear, firm, Christian faith. Her security was in Jesus. We therefore have the assurance today that Veda, while separated from us, in not separated from her Lord," Mr. Rankin said.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0362
Published Date: 27-Aug-98
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