Dolly Parton death: Superfans from Banbridge caught up in Nashville mourning for superstar

​Tributes from around the world have honoured the singer and actress, who died aged 80 following a “brief battle with cancer”.

The biggest names in music – including Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Mick Jagger, Taylor Swift and Beyonce – have all detailed her impact and her legacy, as both a musician and a humanitarian.

Landmarks around the US were lit up pink in her honour, including the Empire State Building in New York, the Willis Tower in Chicago and the Pacific Park Ferris Wheel in Los Angeles.

Ellen told the News Letter they had gone to a restaurant in Nashville that is only 20 yards away from one of Dolly's homes.

They both then had a surge of messages and thought someone close to them had died.

“So we were panicking. And then we realised it was Dolly Parton. And we started to look around the restaurant and the waiters and the staff were starting to cry. Everybody was gasping. It was like something out of a movie scene,” she said.

“And we were hearing from people that we haven't heard from like old colleagues, friends from school that we haven't heard from in years asking what was going on, how we felt, because obviously what a coincidence that we're in her home town while she passed away."

Beth said it was a major coincidence that they were there for her death.

“Honestly, serendipity is the only word for it. It was meant to be. What are the odds that it would happen?”

News of Parton’s death was announced by her family on Tuesday night, and her publicist Marcel Pariseau said: “After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Centre surrounded by loved ones.”

The singer was best known for her genre-defining hits including ‘9 To 5’, ‘I Will Always Love You’ and ‘Jolene’.

The statement continued: “Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand.

“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact.”

At Parton’s request, a small, private funeral service will be held for immediate family.

She was a savvy businesswoman with an empire that included a theme park, aptly named Dollywood, and a pioneering philanthropist.

Imagination Library, a programme devoted to inspiring a love of reading in children, has given more than 300 million books to children in need.

Beth told the News Letter that both the Banbridge girls grew up with Dolly Parton music.

Their favourite karaoke song is ‘Islands In The Stream’, which Dolly sang with Kenny Rogers.

“It's devastating. I remember growing up, my mum would always put on Dolly's 'Coat Of Many Colours'. It was such a grounding song. Dolly taught us so many good values. She was such an incredible woman.”

​The day before her death the girls were at the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum where there is a whole section on Dolly.

“We were nearly brought to tears reading about her life and the things she's done. And then the next day, we get the news.”

​After her death they went to Dolly's new hotel which was due to open. Hundreds of people were gathering, saying a few words and laying flowers. “It's literally about to be finished and she won't even get to go to the like ribbon cutting,” Beth said.

And they went to the country Music Hall of Fame where there was a wreath-laying happening.

“Again, people were in tears. There was all these news publications out with their TV cameras. Honestly, it was like something from a film.”

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