'Cherished' teacher and mum of two dies suddenly in Bulgaria tragedy

A loved teacher and mum-of-two known for her "lovely infectious laughter" suddenlydied in Bulgaria.

Tributes were paid to 60-year-old Catherine Parsonsfrom Derry, Northern Ireland, at her funeral earlier today after she passed away on July 30. Mourners heard the history teacher had "great determination" and "loved life to the full".

Originally from Creggan but living in Portrush, she was described as a woman who was "confident, hardworking, intelligent, funny, friendly and welcoming" during a moving homily at Holy Family Church in Ballymagroarty. It comes after a woman, 20, was found dead on bus with 26 iPhones glued to her body.

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The school where she worked said she was “cherished”. In a moving tribute, Oakgrove Integrated College, said: "As Head of History she taught and led with passion and dedication. As a teacher and form teacher she guided countless young people, nurturing their unique spirits, passions and personalities, helping to shape futures. Catherine touched innumerable lives through her teaching and her gentle presence in Oakgrove's halls.

"Ever the professional, she cared deeply for each individual, sharing kindness, warmth and humour with students and staff alike. We are all enriched by the lasting imprint of her love and grace. She lived out the values of integrated education, acting from a deep belief in the equal worth of every person."

In a moving homily on Tuesday, Father Joe Gormley said according to Belfast Live: "A fortnight tomorrow, the news came from Bulgaria that Catherine had suddenly died and that was news that was particularly painful.

"They [her family] knew a light had gone out of their lives, the light of a woman who was confident, hardworking, intelligent, funny, friendly and welcoming. That light went out in the middle of the summer's night and their lives now will be touched with a gap and a darkness which comes when someone who was a gift like Catherine is leaves us - a gift that was first of all given by God To Desi and Martina, the first born, the first of five children.

"She began her life in Central Drive in Creggan. Being the eldest is not the easiest for any member of a family as they are the first to do it all. They are the ones who push out the boundaries for the rest of us. Catherine was the first to do it all - rhe boyfriends, education, career. She set the trail for the rest of the family."

He continued: "Over the last two weeks, as we have waited news of Catherine's returning home, I've heard so much about her - Catherine's lovely infectious laughter was felt everywhere she went. She had a great determination to succeed in any venture, and this was her greatest strength. She was a proud daughter, sister, wife, mother."

Addressing Catherine's immediate family, he said: "The light has gone out of your home but today Christ promises you that he will walk with you as he will walk walk with Martina and Desi and the rest of the family. We know today that because of what Jesus did for us, as we heard in the gospel, death does not have the final victory. Death has only a momentary say in our lives if we believe in Christ."

The Holy Family parish priest continued: "Catherine was someone who loved life and loved life to the full. She loved her role as a teacher. She, I'm told, embraced kindness, professionalism and humor in her role in Oakgrove. She was always trying to be graceful, to be eloquent and caring to the young people in their care."

He added: "Over the last two weeks, God has sent among you so many people who wanted to let you know that God was walking with you - friends and colleagues from Oakgrove, neighbors and friends from Oakgrove, people in this parish and wider family circle. I know that Catherine's family are particularly indebted to all those who work at the Kevin Bell Foundation, who worked so hard to bring her home. They are signs of the resurrection among us. There are people, all of them you may mention, are signs that Christ has not abandoned us. He continues to walk with us."

An online fundraiser in her memory, which can be found here, has raised nearly £6,500 for the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.