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Mourners gather to remember elderly woman who passed without next of kin

Emmet McElhattonBBC News NI
News imageBBC A coffin is outside a church. Flowers are on top. A man wearing a kilt is holding flags. A hearse is parked. People are standing outside the church. BBC
Margaret Ellen 'Peggy' Murdoch died in hospital on 9 April at 81-years-old

The funeral of an 81-year-old woman, who died without any known relatives, was attended by over 100 people who wished to pay their respects despite many having never met her.

Those who gathered at the service included neighbours, acquaintances, volunteers and strangers to remember Margaret Ellen 'Peggy' Murdoch.

One man who came to pay his respects said the huge turnout reminded him that there is "kindness and humanity" in the world.

An appeal was launched to find Margaret's next of kin after she passed away on 9 April in hospital, but no one has come forward.

Margaret lived in Lisadian House Nursing Home in Hillsborough and El Shammah Nursing Home, but prior to that she lived in Wilson Street in Lisburn and Seacash Walk in Antrim.

The funeral director said they do not know about her personal circumstances other than that she had a twin brother who predeceased her.

Tuesday's service in Lisburn was arranged after the appeal triggered a groundswell of community compassion.

"We have come together today to honour and remember Margaret, a woman who has touched more people than any of us could have expected," those gathered in Ronnie Thompson's Funeral Church were told.

'Sweet and gentle soul'

Celebrant Roisin McFadden told mourners that Margaret, who was born in the 1940s, was a women of "quiet routines".

She added that those who knew her in Lisadian nursing home described her as a "lovely lady, with a very sweet and gentle soul".

In her younger years she enjoyed going out and socialising with her friends in the local pub.

But as time went on, she traded the cocktails for mocktails.

McFadden said Margaret enjoyed a good meal, listening to the singers that came into Lisadian, and, perhaps most of all, her cats.

'Awful if there was no one at your funeral'

News imageTwo women are standing together. One has short brown hair and is wearing a navy hoodie saying age Ni. The other has short white hair and is wearing a green jacket. People are standing in the background. A church is across the street.
Linda Robinson from Age NI and Joan Whyte attended Margaret's funeral

Joan Whyte, who had stopped to watch as a large crowd of mourners followed the coffin from the church, said when she saw the crowd she thought the funeral was of "someone very important".

"And now I know what's going on, I think what's happening is very important," she added.

"People who came out today should be very proud of themselves, because it must be awful to think that, you know, if you die, there would be nobody there at your funeral."

News imageSydney Murphy is standing on a street. He wears glasses. He has a black suit on, a black tie and jumper and white shirt. People are crossing the road behind him. Buildings belonging to St Paul's Parish are behind him.
Sydney Murphy said he was unable to find anybody related to Margaret

Sydney Murphy, who also attended the funeral, said, after his son-in-law told him about the circumstances of Margaret's death, he helped search for family members.

"After hearing of Peggy's situation - she had no relatives and was alone - I tried to find somebody related to her, but nobody was forthcoming.

"So, instead, I decided to come here today. In her final hour, I thought it was the least I could do."

News imageA piper is playing his instrument. He's wearing a kilt. It's a blue bagpipe and with four pipes. OPne is in his mouth. He's leaving a church. People carrying a coffin are behind him. A congregation is standing.
A piper led Margaret's funeral cortege out of the church

Piper Mark Smyth said after hearing of the appeal for local support, he got in touch to tell the funeral director he would be "willing and glad" to provide some music.

"This could have been a very small funeral, but for Ronnie Thompson's Funeral Home making that call to launch an appeal and as you seen today, it was a huge, wonderful funeral," he said.

"I think the community really excelled.

"The right word for what we witnessed today is 'uplifting'.

"It reminded you that there is kindness and humanity still around, even in these unusual times.

"It was great to see the kids, and the carers - they are the family of the deceased, after all. they are ones who would have been with her last."

News imageClara Wilson is sitting in a church with a large harp. Her two hands are playing the strings. She's looking into the camera. She wears glasses and her hair is blond. She has black clothes on. An organ is beside her.
Harpist Clara Wilson saw the story about Margaret on the news and wanted to celebrate her life

Harpist and vocalist Clara Wilson said she wanted to celebrate Margaret's life after hearing her story.

She said: "I just thought it would be wonderful to be able to celebrate her life, and I approached Ronnie Thompson's and said I'd be delighted to sing at the service today, and it was just an honour to be here.

"It was a real celebration today, people who had never met this lady, or each other, but who were here to celebrate her life, and there was definitely celebration in the room today.

"It would have been heartbreaking to think of there being nobody with her today, so it was lovely when the men from Ronnie Thompson's at the end carried her out. I did shed a tear then. I thought it was just so beautiful."