Yesterday Una Bowden and her two beautiful daughters were laid to rest in the saddest of homecomings.
When the news broke last Tuesday afternoon that a woman and her two children had been killed in a collision in Mayo, no doubt many people said a prayer for the devastation that was to visit that family’s home.
A family would be plunged into darkness, ironically at a time when daylight saving time brought extra light.
We learned that the tragedy was actually closer to home, and that those who lost their lives were Raphoe native Una Bowden and her two beautiful children Ciara (14) and Saoirse (11). Their remains were brought back to Raphoe on Easter Monday in what has been the saddest of returns.
Yesterday mourners in St Eunan’s Church in Raphoe heard how Una, a breast cancer survivor, had a zest for life, but mostly she loved nothing more than her family and friends. Having just turned 14 on March 5, Ciara was remembered as being the “ever watchful” and “caring” big sister.
She was described as being “crazy” about dogs, especially her own two Scottish Terriers Daisy and Boo.
Saoirse was remembered as a logical thinker, a Harry Potter fan and as an animal lover, particularly cats.
Heartbreakingly we were told how Una’s husband and Ciara and Saoirse’s dad, David Bowden, who had been working abroad at the time of the tragedy, was already booked to come home on that very same day.
In a eulogy read by his brother, Andrew, David told of his honour of having Una as his wife, and of the joy his family brought him.
Our thoughts and prayers are with David and the wider family in the days, weeks and months ahead.
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