Grieving daughter of Michelle McStravick asked to '˜remember the special times'

Words of comfort have been offered to the young daughter of tragic body builder Michelle McStravick during her funeral today.
Michelle McStravickMichelle McStravick
Michelle McStravick

Addressing teenager Cliodhna, Father Diarmuid Sheehan during his sermon at 11am Requiem Mass at St MacNissi’s Church, Randalstown said: “Remember over the coming days (and always) that your mother was a good woman and that she loved you, indeed that she still loves you.

“In fact you described her loss as losing your best friend. I’m sure that, like every parent, she struggled with the best way to express her love.”

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Ms McStravick, 35, from Randalstown died along with 56-year-old Lorraine Clyde, who was from the Antrim area, after a crash on Church Road outside Randalstown shortly before 8am on Monday.

Both women had been working as care assistants at the time.

Since their deaths tributes have been paid to Ms McStravick, a popular fitness competitor and Mrs Clyde who was well-known as a patrol lady for St Comgall’s Primary School in Antrim.

The cleric, said parents “do not come equipped with all the answers” but “learn as they go along how to be a father, how to be a mother”.

“Remember the special times with your mother, and recall them often in your heart as you might look at a special photograph. Even the one here before the altar,” he added,

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He said her mother is now “closer to God than she ever was before”.

“She prays for you in a greater way than she could ever on earth. Keep her in your own little prayer,” he said.

Father Sheehan added there were things that the 35-year-old mother had wanted to do on earth “that she was not given the time to do”.

“Yet she leaves a tremendous legacy,” he said. “Not only the legacy of how she touched so many people’s lives, But You, Cliodhna, are the main legacy, you are a living legacy. There’s something of your mother in you: in who you are, in how you act, in what you say. It is true you are your own unique person, yes, but you, are very much your mother’s daughter. That resemblance, that heritage, is a blessing.”

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Still addressing Cliodhna, the cleric said she could realise the dreams her mother had for her by “living with honour, compassion, and joy”.

“You are her legacy, and a wonderful legacy you are and will be. Live your life well. With your Grandfather and Grandmother to help you, I know you will be supported in their great love for you.”

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