'A wonderful person has been taken away from us far too soon’ - funeral of Moneymore crash victim told

A County Derry woman who died in a car crash earlier this week was ‘always thinking about other people and always helping out the best that she could’, her funeral has heard.

Ann Marshall (neé McNicholl), a mother-of-two, sadly died following a single vehicle road traffic collision on the Moneymore Road near Cookstown on Wednesday morning (February 11).

At her funeral Mass, held in Church of St. John and St. Trea in Moneymore earlier this morning, mourners heard that ‘a wonderful person has been taken away from us far too soon’.  

The priest officiating at the Requiem Mass said: “We are told that we do not know the day or the hour that God will call us home but when it hits close to home it comes as a shock, something we are not ready for.  Our thoughts and prayers this morning are especially with Ann’s own family gathered here today.  We as a community, of family and friends, surround them hoping that our prayers and our presence here today will just make this day a little bit more bearable.”

The priest said everyone who had come to pay their respects today ‘each have their own stories we can tell about Ann’.

“Over the last few days we have been sharing our own personal stories of how we’ve known Ann and the difference she has made to our lives,” he said.

Born to Phil and Anna McNicholl, of Cookstown, Ann was one of eight children.

She grew up in Chapel Street in the County Tyrone town and attended the old Our Lady’s School.

Ann worked in her parent’s shop in Cookstown for a short time alongside her family.

She also worked in Dunnes Stores but many knew her from her job in Tesco in Cookstown where she had worked for the last 18 years.

“Tesco suited her down to the ground.  She loved chatting to people, helping them out and once Ann had got to know you she always remembered you.  So many people called into the shop and always made sure to head towards her till, she was the favourite to so many people,” the priest said.  

“Ann loved life herself.  She enjoyed heading away with friends and meeting up for something to eat.  One thing that Ann really enjoyed in life was getting away to the sun on good holidays with some friends.  She had her good friends and she always seeked to be at the centre of a bit of craic with everybody.  But for her and Gerry (her husband), trips off to Donegal were always special to her, indeed a happy place for them both.”

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Family was ‘so important’ to Moneymore woman Ann, mourners were told.  

“She met Gerry and they got married in Cookstown Chapel and then moved into the family home there in Moneymore where she spent the rest of her days.  She had her two boys, Brendan and Michael, and she was more than the best mummy, she indeed was their closest friend.  She ruined all three of them at home, anything that was needed, she had it done.  She created a home that was full of love and kindness and always an open door for guests.  

“Ann looked after her own mother Anna in her final years.  She always just seemed to be up at the house.  Ann would have been up with her all the time looking after her and just spending time with a person that she loved indeed very much.  One of the greatest things we can do for anybody is to give them our time and Ann always seemed to have time for everybody, especially her family.  She always was thinking about what people needed and she was always there to get them sorted, even before they knew the things themselves.  Some people were saying that Ann was two steps ahead of everything.  If somebody’s birthday was coming up she probably had the card in the cupboard a few weeks ahead.  Her generosity had no end, always thinking about other people, always helping out the best that she could.”

The priest also recalled his own memories of Ann.

“I was giving out one day about the cost of filling the car up with petrol and she asked me where did I go and I said ‘I went to the Go Station in Cookstown’.  I said to her ‘it’s not the cheapest one, there’s one down there past the fire station, it’s always much cheaper, there has to be something dodgy about it’ and she busted out laughing.  I didn’t know that was her daddy’s shop many years ago and of course Ann enjoyed me falling into the trap straight away.  Every time I saw Ann, and I’m sure you’re the same, she always had that cheeky smile on her face and always a good laugh.  She was always very kind and always asked about other people, and indeed very generous too.  She was always very chatty, very approachable.  I think that’s why people liked her so much.  

“She was kind of a miracle woman in her own way too.  If you went to her for a problem or something and she was able to sort it out, not a worry.  If she couldn’t do it herself, she always knew somebody else who would be able to help you out.  

“Never a day would pass when Ann wasn't texting friends or helping out or giving somebody a laugh or helping to make somebody’s day.  She will be more than missed and I am sad that we couldn’t have her keep us happy for another few years.”

The funeral heard that Ann was ‘very hospitable’  and always greeted guests at her home with a cup of tea or something to eat.

“She would pass you a sneaky sweet, or indeed one of her prized chocolate ruffles,” the priest said.

Ann’s sudden passing happened on February 11, a holy day, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. 

“Our Lady cared for the sick and so many cures and miracles happened because of Our Lady,” continued the priest.  

“Then today, the 14th, is Valentine’s Day, a day where people show their love to others that mean a lot to them.  These two days sum up Ann so much because she cared for so many people over her life, indeed she was a miracle worker, in the house she seemed to sort everything out, not a problem was too big.  She was a woman who looked out for other people and helped make a difference to others.  For Valentine’s Day, Ann was a woman who loved her family so much.  She dedicated her life to her family.  She lived out a love that she had in her heart.  Ann’s whole life was summed up just by love and we will never forget her for it.”

Ann was laid to rest afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.