‘Typical teenager with a smile that radiated so much joy' laid to rest

Derry teenager Caitlin McLaughlin (16), who passed away suddenly at the weekend, has been laid to rest in the City Cemetery, following her Requiem Mass this afternoon.

Mourners, who wore ‘Forever 16’ tee-shirts adorned with her image, joined Caitlin’s cortège as it left her Clon Elagh home, in the Skeoge area of the city, to travel the short distance to St Joseph’s Church, Galliagh.  

Caitin was the beloved daughter of Leeann and Seamus, step-daughter of Elsayed and Aisling, loving sister of Courtney, Oran, Oisin, Ceaslagh, Rua, Daithi, Faehla-Rose and the late Kyle. She was also the cherished granddaughter of Bernie and Kieran McLaughlin and Helen Deery and Seamus Mahon.

Caitlin McLaughlin who was laid to rest this afternoon.

Her poignant Requiem Mass was con-celebrated by Fr Michael McCaughey, PP, St Patrick’s Church Pennyburn and Fr Thomas from the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.

Welcoming the mourners to St Joseph’s, Fr Michael McCaughey, addressed the young people in the congregation specifically and commended the pastoral care of Derry’s school community for its young people.

Fr McCaughey returned repeatedly to this theme, during the Prayers of the Faithful, at the end of Mass, and just before Cailtin’s friend Casey, read a poem in tribute to her and Caitlin’s remains were taken from the church by her grieving family and friends. 

Fr McCaughey said: “We come together in a week when schools are about to close, when people begin the summer holiday time and the heartbreak and the pain that is created in the midst of our community, sadly in the loss of a young person, and that sense of pain and that sense of what could be promise.

“I welcome the representations of so many of our school communities, St Cecilia’s, St Columb’s, St St Thérèse’s, St Brigid’s College, all those many schools who are represented, thanking God as a school community looking out for the young people and cherishing the memory of Caitlin as a pupil and past pupil.”

Caitlin's remains borne into St Joseph's Church, Galliagh, for her Requiem Mass.

The Readings at the Requiem Mass were done by Ciaran and Gemma; the Prayers of the Faithful were read by Harry, Rua, Jake and Nadine; and the Offertory gifts were brought to the altar by Ciara and Colleen, as the hymn Amazing Grace was sung. 

Referencing the Gospel account of the final moments of Christ on the Cross at the opening of his Homily, a clearly emotional Fr McCaughey said that from Saturday night until Wednesday afternoon, darkness and pain was a sun eclipsed as Caitlin McLaughlin’s death came to reality and her family grieved her passing. 

“And you as many friends experience that darkness and that pain and that sadness,” he said.

“We come together this afternoon to pray for Caitlin’s Soul. We come together thanking God for her life. She was Baptised in this Church, she was confirmed in this Church, I remember very well, by Monsignor Dolan. She made her First Communion in this Church.

“As has been said in the last few days, Caitlin had many friends in school and through the community. 

“Her death suddenly, late on Saturday night, creates shock and sadness and pain. Pain and sadness not alone for her family but indeed for her so many friends. 

“As of last Saturday night and Sunday morning, without the slightest warning or the slightest chance to prepare ourselves, the family and the community were plunged into darkness. 

“In the space of a minute, the whole world of a family and many friends was turned upside down and nothing can save us from the pain and the tears and the heartbreak of the last few days. Stunned silence at a wake house is what I have observed. Many good school friends, many teachers, many others, standing, praising a young life that has died so suddenly and so little can prepare us for that.

“In the midst of pain and shock we ask, ‘Why?’ and ‘Why Caitlin?’ and of course those questions we can’t answer. In her Baptism some 16 years ago, a Paschal Candle here on the altar was lit as she began her earthly journey. The light to be entrusted to Caitlin Anne McLaughlin was to be kept burning brightly. 

“And once again today, we light that candle, reminding us of a new beginning for Caitlin. Today we cannot think about what she will do or what she may do but we think about what she has achieved in her short and her full life.

“Someone with great promise and with great potential, from a toddler at the Galliagh Nursery, to St St Thérèse’s Primary School, to St Cecilia’s College, Caitlin was evidently a good friend. She was a typical teenager, who loved the joy of being outside and being with her friends.

“As her mum tells me, ‘When she comes home, she didn’t want to do any work but just be at home’. ‘Caitlin was a light to friends. As a daughter she was a typical teenager. She was also a loving sister who just cared for those around her. She was a young person with a smile that radiated so much joy, a smile that would melt you,’ were the words I heard.

“Today we give Caitlin back to God. A short but full earthly life. A life of memories that influenced so many.

“This afternoon, we salute so many people who prepared Caitlin McLaughlin in her short life, her family, her school communities, and so many others who prepared her in a sense of friendship. We cherish those memories and may Caitlin find rest in the arms of God.”

Paying tribute to Caitlin, St Cecilia’s College principal, Mary Jo O’Carolan said the St Cecilia’s community was deeply saddened to learn of Caitlin’s passing.

Ms O’Carolan added: “Caitlin was a Year 12 pupil in our school. She was a gentle soul who had a wide circle of friends. She was loved by staff and pupils, each of whom held a firm belief in her potential.

“We wish to express our condolences to the family, extended family, siblings and friends of Caitlin.

“Our priority is to support her family, friends and staff at this sad time. 

“May her gentle soul rest in peace.”

Caitlin’s sudden passing has impacted the whole Derry community. Among those expressing condolences was her former primary school, St Thérèse’s, Lenamore.

St Thérèse’s said: “Our entire school community is devastated to hear of the untimely passing of past pupil, Caitlin McLaughlin.

“Every member of staff remembers her as a kind, caring, beautiful and fun girl.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this heartbreaking time. May she rest in peace.”

Caitlin McLaughlin - Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.