"Sinead was a joy among us"

The community of Buncrana has laid Sinead McLaughlin (nee Monteith) to rest after she passed away suddenly on Sunday (September 24).

The mother of one fell ill on Ludden Beach at the weekend and emergency services were called to the scene.

Sadly, Sinead died in Letterkenny Hospital aged just 48.

Sinead is survived by her beloved husband Martin and their daughter, Amy, her younger siblings Sharon and Yvonne and her brother John.

She was the first born child of Johnny and Annie Monteith and grew up in Park, County Derry and attended primary school there.

Sinead then attended Thornhill in Derry before studying at Portobello College in Dublin. She then worked in Dublin for a short while but returned home and met her husband Martin shortly after in 2003. The pair married in 2013 and welcomed their daughter Amy in 2015.

Sinead was loved deeply in the local community and mourners gathered on Wednesday (September 27) at St Mary's Church, Cockhill for requiem mass to say goodbye. Sinead was laid to rest in the adjoining graveyard.

Father Bradley held the service and said that few souls bless people the way Sinead did and it only makes losing her more difficult.

He explained that Sinead loved music, singing and listening to music. She was part of choirs in Park and then Buncrana. 

Sinead loved to travel and went abroad often. When Amy was born, the family of three spent holidays in Ireland.

The congregation was told that Sinead loved the beach and swam regularly. She was a sociable person and made friends easily but above all, she loved her family. 

Father Bradley said: "She was devout, and attended mass every Sunday. She was extremely generous- she would give you her last penny. 

"She had a great life; she worked hard, she partied hard and she prayed hard. Sinead was a joy among us. 

"She had that beautiful face and vivacious spirit that drew you to her company and made you feel good to be alive on any day or in any season of the year. 

"She had that natural charm that drew her in turn into the companionship of every age and social bracket from the elderly to children. 

"She was especially close to her nephews and nieces and of course to her beloved daughter, Amy. 

"She was one of those infrequent but truly blessed persons for whom human outreach is effortless and communication a natural ingredient of their personality- people instinctively wanted Sinead's company. 

"All this personal, social and spiritual richness of Sinead's life makes it all the more difficult to let go of her. 

"She was an outstanding gift and grace. Her presence was so potent and so simply beautiful and gracious that its remembrance will long remain as a living thing among us. 

"Few souls have that kind of effect on those among whom they live for however long or short a span- but Sinead did."

Many also paid their tributes online to Sinead including her friends at the Inishowen Choir of Ages who wrote: "The whole town is so shocked at the passing of Sinead McLaughlin, a totally beautiful human inside and out and a friend to so many.

"She was also a treasured member of our Inishowen Choir of Ages, so we are postponing our return until next Wednesday, Oct 4th. We know she would want us to sing as joyfully as if she was there, but just not this week.

"She was so kind and open to every person she met, and few will leave a mark like hers.

"We send our love to all her family here and in Park, Co. Derry. We were blessed to share her company and she will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace and sing with the Angels Sinead."