Leona Harper

The congregation heard of Leona Harper's many varied interests, from music and dance, to fishing and boxing.

But the names, faces, stories and yarns make it so very real.” The song Angel was also played during the service. But given how unexpected and welcome Leona was to you in your life, your little daughter was indeed a precious gem. “We are lost in a fog of grief and sadness so painful it hurts. Mourners heard that Ms Harper’s two brothers were “so special” to her: Anthony, her “protective” big brother and Jamie, who appeared as “a unit” with Ms Harper in many people’s minds. The congregation heard that Ms Harper was “a little lady with a big heart who lived a full life”, who was “quiet, no trouble and always helpful”.

A Liverpool flag flies outside the church in Ramelton this afternoon as 14-year-old Leona's funeral gets underway. The schoolgirl died in the Creeslough tragedy ...

“She was the ultimate mammy bear,” he said. “But she lived her life to the full. “She was preparing you for life.” “She was a straight talker,” he said. “The kindest friend you could ever have and the life and soul of a night out.” “If you picked up a bar of chocolate and there was a bigger bar available or a better bargain, she would say, you know you can get a bigger one,” he said.

The funeral of a 14-year-old girl killed in the Creeslough tragedy was today told she was her parents' “little miracle”.

Leona, who lived in Letterkenny, was buried this afternoon following a funeral service at St Mary’s Church in the nearby village of Ramelton. She sparkled with energy and fun and attracted so many friends to her circle.” “You, her mum and dad, talk of your daughter as a gem. “It is remarkable what anyone can pack into their lives. Leona shone brightly and beautifully throughout her short life. Another nine people also died in the tragedy.

Teenage victim of Donegal explosion had 'maturity beyond her years and a deeply caring way'

She had maturity beyond her years and a deeply caring way.” They were the rescue dogs that helped locate Leona’s body from the rubble of the Creeslough explosion last Friday. Those schoolmates lined the church path and road outside again to guide Leona’s coffin out. She loved the peace and serenity of Gartan lake. She was beginning to figure in her rugby club as a gifted player. Her 14 years were short, “too short”, he said, but she had “lived life to the full.. A banner proclaimed “Donegal Reds” was held aloft by fellow fans. But she was no shrinking violet, he added. Many of them politely declined as the opening chimes of Into the Arms of an Angel filled the damp air outside the church. A banner bearing the schoolgirl’s name was pasted on. Leona loved the outdoors. And black.

Leona Harper may have lived a little life, but she lived a very full life, her Funeral Mass heard today. She was a feisty teenager, a big-hearted sister and ...

Her school stoked her ambition and she grabbed all the opportunities that were there,” Fr Carney said. She had a maturity beyond her years.” It was in that church that she was baptised, that she made her first Holy Communion and her First Confirmation just three years ago. To her parents Hugh and Donna, she was a little miracle. Leona shined brightly, Leona sparkled with energy and fun and attracted so many friends to her circle.” She had been choosing ice-cream before a sleepover she was looking forward to attending at her friend’s house when the devastating explosion occurred.

Leona Harper (14) was the last of the victims to be removed from the scene of the explosion in Creeslough last Friday.

She was the last taken out, her mother said. At Mulroy College in Milford she was about to enter her Junior Cert year. She paid tribute to the doctors and to everybody involved in her daughter’s recovery, particularly the digger driver who she said “didn’t stop until he got her”. When the tragedy happened, the family were told there was a possibility Leona was on her way to the hospital. She was “an absolute pleasure” to coach with her great attitude and her great sense of humour. She was choosing an ice cream from the fridge at the Applegreen shop when the blast happened, having stopped off on her way to a friend’s house for a sleepover.