‘Hannah knew she was loved’

Hannah’s friends and relatives were joined by Gail McBeth, from the Donegal Juvenile Badminton Club, and David Hampton, Principal of Strabane Academy at the service.

During a moving funeral oration Rev Mark Russell spoke of the strong bond between Hannah, her mother and father Ethna and Edmund, and her brother Aaron.

“Hannah knew she was loved and her family knew she loved them not because of the things she got, but because of the relationship they had with one another.

“They worked for one another through good times and bad, supporting one another in so many ways,” Rev Russell told those gathered.

He went on to describe what an impact 13-year-old Hannah had made in a life cut so tragically short whilst asking mourners to offer up a prayer of thanks for “all the gifts that made her special.”

“We thank you for Hannah and for the memories of those who loved and knew her,” he said. “We thank you for all the gifts that made her special. We thank you for her sporting talents in so many various disciplines whether it was Hockey, athletics, show jumping or badminton.

“We thank you for her academic competence which again covered so many subjects. But father we thank you for her modesty and humility that for all the accolades and success, she remained grounded, almost unaware of the uniqueness of her ability.

“We thank you for her determination, her commitment, her drive to succeed in life and for all that you accomplished in her in life. May we learn much from her example and seek to apply them in our own lives for your honour and glory.”