Yahoo News Girl, 4, who died in weekend tragedy 'a real feisty personality' whose smile 'lit up a room', mourners told
A four-year-old girl who died following a tragedy in Co Derry at the weekend had a "real feisty personality" and a "radiance that lit up a room", mourners at her funeral heard on Tuesday.
Fianna Grace Harkin sadly died following an accident on Saturday at Tirruadh Road in Draperstown, where she lived with her family.
Mourners packed St Columba's Church in Straw, Ballinascreen on Tuesday as a GAA top, stuffed unicorn and Fianna's graduation picture from her early years class were placed around the chapel for a Mass of the Angels.
Fr Peter Madden, parish priest in Ballinascreen, said the whole community were left "stunned by what happened" on Saturday.
Her mother, Derry Ladies GAA coach Karen Harkin, was comforted as she wept.
Addressing mourners, Fr Madden said: "We gather today to be present for Fianna's family, to be present for them. That's all we can do.
"We have all been stunned by what happened on Saturday. A reading of the many hundreds of messages on social media shows that everyone has been affected by Fianna's death.
"We have done our best to fill the Church with as much light as possible, because it so reflects the light Fianna brought with her everywhere she went.
"For one so young, you all know she had a radiance and a smile that lit up a room, not to mention a school Assembly hall last Thursday.
"There is another light here too - this tall candle up here, the light of the paschal flame that was given to Fianna on the day she was baptised. That's a light that promised her heaven when her life on earth was over. None of us could have imagined it would be so short."
He continued: "This isn't a Requiem Mass for Fianna - she doesn't need our prayers, we need hers. We know she is with God already. That's why this is a Mass of the Angels. From now on, she will guide and guard her family every time they think of her, every time they say her name."
In a moving homily, Fr Madden said: "I well remember the day Fianna was baptised. It didn't take long for Fianna's family to realise they had a bright one here. She was old before her time. She could talk before she was two and I don't mean dropping a word here or there - these were full on conversations.
"The GAA was in her blood, so wonderfully represented here today. Even before she was born, she was part of the team that coached the senior ladies. She couldn't not have heard the advice that her mother was throwing from the sidelines during every match and training session."
He continued: "Even the week Fianna was born, Karen was coaching the team. Fianna couldn't have missed loving the GAA and football even if she tried. But for one so young she had a passion for the game that was remarkable, she really understood it.
"A real fiesty personality but it should not be any surprise when we think of her name and what it means. Fianna is an ancient Irish name, it goes back to the iron age, and it means brave warrior - our Fianna was just that. She hadn't a shy bone in her body, and for anyone who was at the high school fashion show last Thursday evening you will have seen for yourself the confidence, taking to the catwalk like she was born for it."
The Parish Priest added: "I don't think for one minute that God wants us here today. Not for one minute do I believe there wasn't so much more God wanted for her life. He had blessed her with so much talent and the potential for so much more. But I do believe the moment she died God took her in his arms and brought her straight to heaven. She brought so much joy to her family and all of those who knew her."
The Mass of the Angels ended with a recording of Fianna singing 'You are My Sunshine'.
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