CHURCH OF JOY TURNS TO TEARS AS EDITH BURIES HER TWO MEN
CHURCH OF JOY TURNS TO TEARS AS EDITH BURYS HER TWO MEN
By CLARE GRANT
TWENTY-SEVEN years ago Edith White went to Creevan Presbyterian Church with her proud husband to baptise their baby boy.
Yesterday the weeping mother returned to bury them - her son Brian and his devoted father Fred.
Supported by her daughter Linda, she watched as her husband's coffin and then her son's were carried into the small, white church.
Scores of cars had followed the cortege as it made the six-mile journey from the family home in Omagh to the church in the tiny hamlet where Mr White grew up. The two coffins were brought together, side by side.
Another funeral, another family devastated by terrorists. In all 16 of the 28 bomb victims were buried yesterday.
Mr White 60, was doing errands in town for his wife when the bomb went off. His 27-year-old son was with him.
It was a loving gesture, typical of a man who put his family before everything.
Plea
The mourners who filled and surrounded the church included Northern Ireland First Minister David Trimble and Ulster Unionist MP Ken Maginnis.
They heard pleas for peace and understanding from the Rt Rev John Dixon.
He said: "We affirm our utter support for our government and the government in Dublin in their declared intention to spare no effort in bringing such wicked men to justice."
A tribute to the father and son by Rev Arthur O'Neill, who has known the family for 35 years, put into words what was in everyone's thoughts.
He said: "Our hearts go out today to all who Fred and Brian loved and cherished.
In the past days we have witnessed the anguish, bitter grief and hot tears of this family.
"We have seen them waiting, waiting and waiting through the long-watches of the night. Hoping, hoping and hoping against hope that with the coming of the dawn word would come that Fred and Brian were safe. It was not to be."
He spoke of Fred's closeness to his family.
"Undoubtedly the centre of Fred's life was his home. He and Edith were inseparable.
"The family circle was as close-knit and as loving as one could wish, and even though he was in a home of his own there was no doubt he had a very special place in the hearts of Bobby and Betty, his brother and sister.
"They, with Edith and Brian. Linda and Stephen, his son-in-law, were his world."
He spoke of Brian as a "worthy son" and said he shared many common interests with his father.
Outside the church the Rev O'Neill, who helped comfort the family after the murders, said the young council worker and his father, a retired council worker and office holder in the local Ulster Unionist Party, had loved peace and had wanted peace.
Loss
He said the worst time for the family had been Monday night when the two coffins were brought home. Only then had the enormity of their loss sunk in.
The Rev O'Neill said his parish has been shattered by the massacre. His congregation includes many people killed or maimed.
Mourners made their way to the Old Drumragh Graveyard in Omagh where Fred and Bryan were laid to rest side by side.
By CLARE GRANT
TWENTY-SEVEN years ago Edith White went to Creevan Presbyterian Church with her proud husband to baptise their baby boy.
Yesterday the weeping mother returned to bury them - her son Brian and his devoted father Fred.
Supported by her daughter Linda, she watched as her husband's coffin and then her son's were carried into the small, white church.
Scores of cars had followed the cortege as it made the six-mile journey from the family home in Omagh to the church in the tiny hamlet where Mr White grew up. The two coffins were brought together, side by side.
Another funeral, another family devastated by terrorists. In all 16 of the 28 bomb victims were buried yesterday.
Mr White 60, was doing errands in town for his wife when the bomb went off. His 27-year-old son was with him.
It was a loving gesture, typical of a man who put his family before everything.
Plea
The mourners who filled and surrounded the church included Northern Ireland First Minister David Trimble and Ulster Unionist MP Ken Maginnis.
They heard pleas for peace and understanding from the Rt Rev John Dixon.
He said: "We affirm our utter support for our government and the government in Dublin in their declared intention to spare no effort in bringing such wicked men to justice."
A tribute to the father and son by Rev Arthur O'Neill, who has known the family for 35 years, put into words what was in everyone's thoughts.
He said: "Our hearts go out today to all who Fred and Brian loved and cherished.
In the past days we have witnessed the anguish, bitter grief and hot tears of this family.
"We have seen them waiting, waiting and waiting through the long-watches of the night. Hoping, hoping and hoping against hope that with the coming of the dawn word would come that Fred and Brian were safe. It was not to be."
He spoke of Fred's closeness to his family.
"Undoubtedly the centre of Fred's life was his home. He and Edith were inseparable.
"The family circle was as close-knit and as loving as one could wish, and even though he was in a home of his own there was no doubt he had a very special place in the hearts of Bobby and Betty, his brother and sister.
"They, with Edith and Brian. Linda and Stephen, his son-in-law, were his world."
He spoke of Brian as a "worthy son" and said he shared many common interests with his father.
Outside the church the Rev O'Neill, who helped comfort the family after the murders, said the young council worker and his father, a retired council worker and office holder in the local Ulster Unionist Party, had loved peace and had wanted peace.
Loss
He said the worst time for the family had been Monday night when the two coffins were brought home. Only then had the enormity of their loss sunk in.
The Rev O'Neill said his parish has been shattered by the massacre. His congregation includes many people killed or maimed.
Mourners made their way to the Old Drumragh Graveyard in Omagh where Fred and Bryan were laid to rest side by side.
Further Information
Publisher: THE MIRROR
Ref: TM/059
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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