Amy Connor: ‘A blazing star which travelled across our lives’

Coleraine mother-of-one Amy Connor, 23, died suddenly while on holiday with relatives in Ibiza on August 20.

A funeral service took place in her mother’s home in Glebe Crescent, Castlerock today after which she was buried in Ballywillan Cemetery, Portrush.

The service was conducted by Rev Bert Ritchie of the Church of Christ in Bushmills, who told mourners tales of the fun loving young woman who had grown up going to church camps, and had been expected to attend again this year had it not been for the pandemic.

Rev Ritchie said that Amy had a lighted hearted conversation with her niece, Brooke, shortly before she went on holiday during which she talked about how she would like her funeral, never expecting it to be so imminent. She had wanted “Bert” [Rev Ritchie] to conduct the service.

“I don’t want people coming dressed in black and dull clothes and I want a nice dress,” Amy had said.

Rev Ritchie added: “The irony was that this ‘light hearted’ chat between two young people became a terrifying reality last week when we received the devastating news of Amy’s death,”

He added: “Today has been a challenging task for me not least because I like you have lost a wee girl who won my heart from a very early age...”.

The minister told mourners of the conversations they had shared and her faith.

“Some of my time with Amy showed me she was a young girl who believed. A young girl who was attracted to the true story of how our Lord wants us to live. Not the divisive religion which has plagued our island for generations. Maybe this explains why a friendship grew. She gravitated to people who accepted others for what they were, flaws and all. There was never any pretence in Amy’s life.”

Her maturity began to blossom in her teenage years and by that time was a regular fixture in their lives and their annual camp, which she loved with a passion, He said: “Older but still singing, older but still dancing, older and still mischievous.”

He added: “I know most of you here may never have heard of this Camp Shamrock of which I speak but I know if Amy were here she would tell you it had been one of her most formative times in her life. A place, a people which she would say was real Christianity. Not a condescending judgemental religion that turns people away but a welcoming forgiving place where all were equal in their love and compassion for each other as we strived to be better. In fact this is where Amy would have been this summer had it not been for the pandemic which saw it closed for the first time in 54 years.”

A friend from “Camp Shamrock” in Nashville, which Amy attended, sent a letter of condolence.

Looking through photos, Brenda Penman, said it seemed that Amy has been “such a part of camp for so many years”.

She added: “So many people come into your life for a season but leave no impact; Amy however, from the first year at camp made a powerful impact. She had a statement to make and wanted all those around to see and hear her. From the beginning she never failed to add drama, laughter and smiles to almost every situation at camp.”

Rev Ritchie acknowledged that nothing he could say would ease the pain mourners were feeling, nor could he explain it. He acknowledged that people had from afar to attend, naming one friend who had come from Dublin.

“It would do us well as we reflect over Amy’s passing to remember our life is not defined by one brush stroke and no matter what challenges come our way, with faith we will come through,” he said. “Of equal importance that family must stay together especially in times of difficulty.”

He also shared one pearl of wisdom he had often shared with Amy.

“Life is a journey that no one including you and I make without mistakes. From time to time we are stalked by self righteous people, or those who want to take advantage of us. These are the people who live life fooling themselves they are perfect. They are the people whose purpose in life is to judge you.... Sometimes they operate under the pretence of religion and misrepresent the God I want you to hear about today.”

Rev Ritchie described Amy as “a blazing star, which travelled ever so briefly across the horizons of our lives. Would sweetheart we could have kept you longer but sadly in faith give you back to God, for His eternal care.”

The minister also offered his sympathy to Amy’s mother and wider family.

“Carol, your family has walked a lonely and painful path these past few days. As we were drawn into your suffering I gave witness to gentle embraces and tears over this your daughter, you remind us of the love which God had for us that he gave his only son, that we might have life.”

Young friends of tragic Amy Connor united in grief ahead of heart-rending funeralTragedy for NI family as young mother dies in IbizaA message from the Editor:

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