‘Your prayers and kindness have been of great comfort to us’

The family of Stephen McCahill have offered their “sincere and heartfelt thanks” to everyone who has helped them in any way in the past few weeks.

Businessman and community representative Stephen was murdered in January at his home at Beagh, Ardara.

The Month’s Mind mass for Stephen will take place on Sunday, February 22, at 11am at the Church of the Holy Family, Ardara.

His family said thanks to “everyone who expressed sympathy and supported us in recent weeks following the sad and untimely passing of our beloved husband and dad.”

“We are deeply grateful to everyone who attended the wake and funeral, especially those who travelled long distances to be with us at this difficult time,” the family statement, released through Shovlins Funeral Home, said.

“A special word of thanks to Fr Aodhan Cannon for celebrating such a heartfelt Mass, and for his support during that week and in the weeks since. We also wish to acknowledge Msgr Kevin Gillespie, Fr Philip Daly, Fr Gerard Cunningham, Fr Maurice McGill, Fr Adrian Gavigan, and Fr Martin Doohan for assisting with the Mass and our neighbour Fr. John Gallagher.

“Our sincere thanks to the Slowey family, and to Peter, Ann, Gráinne, and the McNelis families, who were constantly by our side. We will be forever grateful. Thank you to Ardara GAA for your help in organising the wake. To the stewards, bus drivers, those making tea, and everyone who helped in ways we may never know, you made everything as seamless as possible and that brought us great comfort.

“Thank you also to everyone who brought food to the house, and to those who helped in the Parish Centre and in the Corner House on the day of the funeral.

“We greatly appreciate the flowers, Mass cards, and the many lovely letters, messages, and phone calls we continue to receive. It has been uplifting to hear so many fond memories of Stephen. Thank you to those who participated in the mass through readings, prayers of the faithful, bringing symbols to the altar and to James Breslin for your moving reflection.

“To our dear Corner House Band, thank you for the beautiful music and for helping give Stephen a wonderful send-off. Thank you also to the past and present staff of the Corner House for coming together to support us during the wake and funeral.

“Thank you to the various community groups and neighbouring GAA clubs who lined the streets of Ardara with a guard of honour in Stephen’s memory. Many thanks to our wonderful neighbours who helped prepare our house for Stephen’s final days at home.

“Finally, thank you to Kieran Shovlin and Shovlin’s Funeral Director’s for the professionalism, care and the dignified manner in which arrangements were carried out. Stephen was a very proud Donegal man and the people of Ardara and Donegal gave him the most wonderful send-off. While we may not be able to thank everyone individually, please know your prayers and kindness have been of great comfort to us and please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our deepest gratitude.”