Families to say final farewells after tragedies

David Catherwood, who died after the bike he was riding was in collision with a white Mazda car in Holywood on July 19, will be laid to rest in Roselawn Cemetery after an 11am funeral service in Mountpottinger Methodist Church on the Albertbridge Road.

At the time of the collision, Mr Catherwood had been riding in the Bangor direction with another cyclist – a man in his 30s – who suffered minor injuries as a result of the crash.

He is survived by his wife Janet, five children – Kathryn, Rachel, Philip, Rebecca and Alan – and wider family circle.

Mr Catherwood, 61, has been described since his death by friends as a devout Christian and as a “warm and caring person”.

The group Cycle 4 Christ also posted a message on the internet about his death.

Giving his nickname as “The Weary Wanderer”, the group said: “His passion for life and his family, everything he set his heart to do for people and God, cannot be equalled...

“We’ll miss you David but we’ll also see you soon, when we’re home with you in glory.”

Meanwhile, the funeral of mother-of-three Valerie Armstrong, who died after suffering serious injuries when she was knocked down by a scrambler bike while walking her dog in Colin Glen Forest Park in west Belfast on July 20, will take place at 1pm in the Church of the Nativity in Poleglass.

The burial will follow afterwards at Blaris Cemetery in Lisburn.

Mrs Armstrong, originally from Co Westmeath, is survived by her husband Seamus and their three children Dylan, Lucy and Sophie-Belle.