A priest told the funeral of Bengerstown, Lobinstown woman Sarah Halpenny today that he and the large congregation along with those watching the ceremony from across the world were entrusting her to God’s everlasting care and that they were thankful for what she had meant to everyone, for the person she has been, the service she has offered, the contribution she has made to so many lives, for what she meant to her family, colleagues and friends, for what she will continue to mean to so many people in the future.
“We are thankful for Sarah’s many achievements with pride, the challenges and obstacles faced, success, one’s potential fulfilled, for the experiences we have been through together, the love and friendships we have shared, the qualities and characteristics that make Sarah special to us”, Fr Gerry Boyle said at a Mass in the Church of the Holy Cross in Lobinstown.
The 29-year-old teacher and footballer passed away in Melbourne Australia on 14 th December. The church at Lobinstown was packed today for the funeral Mass with many hundreds watching the internet live stream. Welcoming Sarah’s parents David and Yvonne, sisters Emma and Grace, and her partner Ciaran, Fr Boyle said that a few short weeks ago it was hard to imagine how we would be beginning the New Year. Gifts presented at the altar included symbols of her early years, framed photographs of Sarah’s family and Ciaran, a memory book of friends in Ireland and Australia, her teacher badge, her football boots and medals, Dee Ranger and St Kevin’s jerseys her passport and a
photographic collage of her travels, a boomerang, and a deck of cards.
Fr Boyle recalled how family and friends had gathered on the 14 th and 20 th December for candlelight vigil to be together and remember the light that Sarah had brought to everyone’s lives . They would never have thought they would be putting symbols of Sarah’s life “almost into the crib”. He recalled the journey made by Mary and Joseph and the goodness of people who made room for them and how Mary and Joseph had brought Jesus to the temple and Simeon and Anna welcomed him but had told Mary and Joseph how a sword would pierce their heart.
Today represented a tragedy for Sarah’s family and her partner Ciaran. Fr Boyle said that Sarah appreciated her roots – she loved being a daughter, a big sister, a niece, a cousin, a granddaughter.
She had attended Newtown National School, O’Carolan College in Nobber, she loved all sports including Gaelic football and basketball but on top of that she loved horses and played the accordion and keyboard. She represented Meath in Dee Rangers to high levels and then took after
her granny Finola seeking to be a teacher, training in St Pat’s, Drumcondra. She worked part-time in Callaghan’s Ardee where she met Ciaran “the love of her life”. She was a great teacher, Fr Boyle said, teaching in St Joseph’s National School, Kingscourt. She had played football in Australia and in fact had won championships on two continents. During the funeral ceremony moving tributes were read by her sister and partner.
