'Thank you for saving my life' says heartbroken sister of Gilford girl Caitlin Green as mourners are told of a loving mum and kind-hearted friend

Family and friends of the 24-year-old mother of two gathered at St Patrick & St Colman's Church, Laurencetown for Caitlin’s Requiem Mass after her tragic passing recently.

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Ms Green had been missing for 7 days before her remains were recovered in Princes Street, Lurgan last Saturday. The PSNI said it is not treating her death as suspicious.

Caitlin’s sister Lela said there were many things she would love to say about their ‘beautiful Caity’ but ‘they would be there all day’.

“Caitlin was one in a million. She had talents for calling out the stupid things we said and made sure to embarrass us for them

“But somehow we loved her even more. The humour wasn't just laughter – it was connection. Katie done everything in life with the purest intention and love and passion.

"She went above and beyond for everyone giving her whole heart to the people she loved. Katie carried the love with a big brave smile that could light up any room she entered.

"You were the gift to the heart, a friend of the soul, a golden thread woven into the meaning of life itself. That connection lives beyond Goodbye.

"Death cann’t break a sister's bond that connection that it's beyond Goodbye. You will always be a part of me no matter where. Thank you for saving my life and making me an Aunty. That role of love, that purpose in life that legacy of life – this isn’t goodbye but see you later Caitlin,” said broken hearted Lela.

Parish Priest Fr Andrew McMahon described Caitlin’s death as ‘sad and tragic’ extending his condolences to her parents Stephanie and Barry and her grandmother Siobhan, her siblings Jason, Lela, Patrick and Lily-Rose and especially her young children Cadáin and Clíodhna.

“They won't be aware of the sad death of their mother but we pray for their years ahead that they will be shown love and the care they need as they grow up in this world without their mother,” he said.

He also extended condolences to the McIntosh family, to her aunts, uncles, neighbours and friends and ‘all who mourn her passing at this time and all who have loved her in life and who will miss her in death’.

Fr McMahon described ‘a darkness’ which has come over the community since her ‘sudden and tragic death’ especially for Caitlin’s parents who ‘never expected to be burying their child’.

"Parishes mourn together the death of someone among them but when death comes to a young person and comes, sadly and tragically, there's a much deeper sense of pain felt by everyone, and even people who wouldn't have known Caitlin particularly well, a particularly closely will feel that sadness and share in that sorrow and be feeling for Barry and Stephanie and Siobhan, her Granny and her brothers and sisters on this day, as they come together for this painful and difficult day of bidding for a well at an earthly level to someone may have always loved and valued and cherished,” said Fr McMahon.

He described Caitlin as a much loved daughter, sister and eventually mother. She was the second child of Barry and Stephanie

“From an early age she was much loved and was recognised to have a kindly and caring nature herself. She was always friendly and outgoing, happy-go-lucky, enjoyed socialising.

"She was someone who was lively and made friends and who was interested in others and was a good friend to have herself because of that kindly and caring side to her nature.

"As she grew up she enjoyed Irish dancing, and she also enjoyed Gaelic football and we had the Jersey,” said the priest.

He described her as ‘helpful and interested in others’ having learned sign language – and when working in a store – put that learning to good use to help a woman who couldn’t hear or speak.

She also receive a commendation of bravery award for her part in helping to save someone's life.

"So, Caitlin was a young woman of substance and courage and character as we can discern from those experiences alone,” said Fr McMahon.

In time she became a young mother, said the Priest who prayed that the two children will receive the same love they received from their mother ‘loved them deeply’.

“Caitlin obviously gave much in the course of her 24 years in this world, and she obviously had much to give in therefore it's so deeply sad and tragic that she will not be able to continue to serve in those ways and to give in those ways, and that her life has been so sadly cut short,” he said.

Gifts to remember Caitlin’s life were brought to the altar including a photo of Caitlin’s 2 young children ‘to whom she was a loving mother and who were the light of her young life’ said Fr McMahon.

Other items brought to the altar included a pair of fluffy socks that Caitlin loved to wear and an eyebrow spoolie which was ‘never out of her hands’. A packet of her favourite snacks and a GAA jersey was also brought to the altar as Caitlin was fond of gaelic games in her earlier years.

A vape was also chosen as ‘when you saw a puff of smoke you saw Caitlin’ and a picture that Caitlin herself had created.

Caitlin was buried in the adjoining graveyard. Donations in lieu if desired to Changing Lives c/o Jack McLearnon & Son Funeral Directors 75 North Street Lurgan BT67 9AH. Tele (028) 38322232 or donation box in the home.