Abbie Carmody-Pepper, a 15-year-old who drowned off the coast of Burrow Beach in north Dublin last weekend, was remembered by her family at a moving funeral service. Hundreds gathered at the Church of The Holy Spirit in Ballymun to pay their final respects after the tragedy, which occurred while she was celebrating the end of Transition Year and the start of summer.
Brother's Emotional Tribute
Abbie's older brother Aaron read out a tearful eulogy on behalf of their parents, Mandy and Wayne, and her other brothers, Leon and Warren. Speaking for their mother, Aaron said: "Today we say goodbye to our beautiful daughter Abbie. Thank you for every moment you gave these last 15 years. I'll miss everything about you. But I know you've gone home to be with the other angels. We'll miss you forever our crabby Abbie." On behalf of their father, he added: "Thank you everybody for your support and kindness. I used to look forward to seeing your beautiful face in the morning but soon after she'd turn the house upside down. She always got her way. My little crazy Abbie. It was a privilege to be your father. I love you Abbie."
Family Memories
Words from her brother Leon expressed that "life would never be the same" and asked her to watch over the family. Aaron shared his own memories, saying: "Abbie, we used to fight over chargers and phones and everything else. I'll never forget the days going to school every morning and how I used to be texting you. You'd always have a smile on your face - no matter what day, no matter what weather, no matter what you were doing. I'll never forget that beautiful smile."
Personal Reflections
In a heartfelt eulogy, Aaron continued: "When I think of her, I think of the girl who was first in line every Christmas to go into the sitting room to see what gifts Santy left us. I think of me brothers wrecking her head and her giving them just as much grief. I think of her phases of making slime, loom bands and fidget toys. I think of the little girl who walked home from school with me ma every day, I think of the girl who had the meanest eyes to the biggest smile but above all I think of that little girl who tried to save her friend in the end." Overcome with emotion, he added: "They say when people are forgotten, that's when they truly die so it'll be like you never left us. Because we'll spend every day remembering you. Don't worry Abbie, I'll take care of them for you. I love you so much and I'm so proud of you and I will miss you."
Musical Tributes and Items
During the service, musical tributes included "Forever Young" by Alphaville, "How Long Will I Love You" by Ellie Goulding, and "Something in the Heavens" by Lewis Capaldi. Items chosen to commemorate Abbie's life were lip gloss, a handbag, a hair straightener, an eyelash curler, her mobile phone, and a pack of her favourite sweets. Following the ceremony, she was laid to rest at Dardistown Cemetery. Earlier in the week, her aunt Joanne spoke about the "gut-wrenching grief" the family has experienced.
