SAD GOODBYE 

‘Beautiful’ girl, 15, who died in Howth drowning tragedy ‘tried to save friend in the end’, brother tells funeral mass

HEARTBROKEN family members paid an emotional tribute today to a Dublin teenager who died while swimming in Howth on Sunday.

Abbie Carmody-Pepper, 15, was remembered for her “beautiful smile” and caring nature by loved ones at an emotional funeral service in Ballymun today.

Many gathered to attend her funeral Mass at the Church of the Holy Spirit this morning, where her older brother Aaron delivered a moving tribute on behalf of the family.

He began by thanking those who had supported the family in the days since the tragedy.

He said: “Thank you very much for coming. Special thanks to everybody in the Ballymun community for coming together through this incredibly difficult time to help us give Abbie the best send-off.”

Aaron then read a message from their mother Mandy.

It said: “Today we say goodbye to my 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.”

Aaron also shared a message from their father Wayne, who remembered the joy Abbie brought to their home.

The message read: “Thank you everyone for your support and kindness. I used to look forward to seeing her beautiful face in the morning, but soon after she turned the house upside down.

“She always got her way, my little crazy Abbie. It was a privilege to be her father. I love you Abbie.”

Reading a tribute from brother Leon, Aaron added: “I miss and love you so much and life is never going to be the same again without you. You’re my one and only baby sister.

“I don’t know where to start or what to say because life took you away from us before we could have one last little argument, or before I could call you by your middle name Chantelle, even though it annoyed you.

“Life’s too short. Please look over our family.

“Our hearts are broken into a million pieces and we stay strong for you baby girl, until we meet again.”

Aaron also recalled the siblings’ everyday memories together.

He said: “We used to fight over chargers and fines and everything else.

“I’ll never forget the days going to school every morning and how we 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. I love you.”

Reflecting on his own memories of Abbie, Aaron spoke of Christmas mornings, school runs and the little moments they shared over the years.

He said: “When I think of her, I think of the girl that forced us every Christmas to go into the sitting room to see what Santa left us.

“I think of my brothers wrecking her head and her giving them just as much grief back.

“I think of her phases of making slime, loom bands and fidget toys. I think of the little girl that walked home from school with me every day.

“I think of that girl that went from having the meanest eyes to the biggest smile.

“But above all, I think of that little girl that tried to save her friend in the end.

“They say when people are forgotten, that’s when they truly die, so we’re lucky 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. I’m going to miss you.”

Following the service, family and friends accompanied Abbie’s coffin to Dardistown Cemetery, where she was laid to rest.

Source: https://www.thesun.ie/news/17028045/howth-drowning-abbie-carmody-pepper-funeral-tribute/