Celebrant Very Reverend Canon Powell P.P.

A sad occasion like this today is an occasion to reminisce and to allow the mind to linger on moments from the past. Memories flood back of childhood experiences of being cared for, encouraged and loved by a loving mother.

This is a time when gratitude for a loving wife, mother, daughter and sister, friend and colleague wells up in your hearts for a “job well done”. It is a time of awakening to an appreciation of the gifts and blessings received. It is only in hindsight that the gift becomes clear. Life is lived going forwards but understood looking backwards.

Kelly was born on 11^th March 1981, the youngest child of Francis and Leo Young. The family of 3 boys and two girls lived at Seapatrick and Kelly attended St. Mary’s Primary School Banbridge and St. Patrick’s College. After leaving school, Kelly worked with her father Leo and brother Paddy at the stables. She was mad about horses! Kelly met Noel in Warrenpoint, but her brother John was in America so she decided to travel there for a while. She returned home after six months. Noel and Kelly married 15 years ago. They had two beautiful boys, Taylor and Ewan. Kelly was a devoted mother and loved her boys dearly and was so proud of them.

After the death of her beloved father Leo, Kelly trained his last horse “Gee Are Three” to win the Point-to-Point. It was her goal and she said “Dad said it will win and it will!” And it did!

Kelly worked in the Canal Court and the Carrickdale Hotel for John and Paddy McParland for the past 19 years. She dearly loved her job and Paddy and John have been a wonderful support to her and the whole family through everything. It was in January 2016 she became ill and she battled so bravely, never complaining but bore her sickness with great courage. She was a true gem.

When Kelly initially got the ‘all clear’, herself and her sister Louise took to the running and every Saturday they undertook the 5k Park Run in Craigavon. But life was to take a different turn and the battle returned last June and ended on Tuesday in Craigavon Hospital.

We remember a lovely person, a lady who was a treasure to you all. Letting go of her today is not going to be easy for Kelly was a great lover of family, people and life itself. Today then we bid farewell to Kelly. Despite your sense of loss, you will face the future with courage and hope, knowing that that is what she would want you to do. We comfort one another in the sure confidence that for Kelly life has changed, not ended. We also derive comfort from the conviction that she is at peace with God after all her suffering which she bore with great courage.

But if we are sad today, there is also much to be thankful for. We are grateful for the life she did have, grateful for all the joy she brought into your lives. For you her loving family there’s the comfort of knowing that you were able to show her throughout her life how much you all loved her and appreciated her.

You knew that time was precious in recent times. All that you could have done for her, you did. There are no regrets.

It is only to God we can turn at this time to try to find some meaning, some consolation; some hope in the situation we find ourselves in. Prayer will bring us through this time. 

All of us gathered here today we just want to say how sorry we are for your great loss – to Kelly’s family and

extended family you are all in our prayers - May her gentle soul rest in peace.

As we gather to pray here today, we want to assure you, of the love and prayers of all of us here.

I know that Kelly would want me to say thank you to all who have minded her and cared for her since her initial

diagnosis, through to her passing on Tuesday in Craigavon hospital. Amen.

We extend our deepest sympathy to her loving husband Noel, sons Taylor and Ewan, mother Frances, sister Louise,

brothers Jonathan, Patrick and Jeremy, and the entire family circle.