THE two points in the famous Ecclesiastes verse 'a time to live, and a time to die' were "too close together" for 15-year-old Megan McCallion, mourners were told at her funeral yesterday.
Hundreds of family, friends and neighbours packed St Gerard's Catholic Church on Antrim Road yesterday, where fellow pupils from Dominican College, Fortwilliam sang funeral hymns during an emotional service.
Her parents Kevin and Eileen McCallion were supported by relatives from their huge family circle who had travelled from as far away as England and Co Tyrone to attend.
Among the young family members offering Prayers of the Faithful was Megan's younger brother Conor.
Fr Jimmy O'Reilly, a relative of her father and member of St Patrick's Missionary Society in Laois, said Conor, who is two-and-a-half years younger than Megan, was "always there for her... (and) always on her side".
"Kevin, Eileen and Conor are experiencing deep, deep loss at this time and we know no words of ours can describe that experience," Fr O'Reilly said.
"A life that was full and promising has been cut short so suddenly. She was a force of nature who enriched so many people and at so many different levels."
He spoke of Megan's "thoughtfulness towards her family and friends" and how that consideration for others extended to her joining the Organ Donation Register "only a matter of weeks ago".
"She discussed it with Eileen and Kevin only last week round the table," Fr O'Reilly said.
"Megan has donated to five recipients. Her heart (has gone) to an eight-year-old child, so she continues to be a life-giver - a very poignant life-giver.
"Megan was always fully of life and full of joy. She loved to laugh, loved to be happy and loved to make others happy.
"In our lives we can be inspired by Megan's generosity, to life-givers in our words and actions as Megan was."
Fr O'Reilly told mourners there had been "so much wrapped into a few short years" for the girl who was an Under 10 player of the year for St Enda's GAC and played soccer for Fortwilliam.
She was also involved with running club North Belfast Harriers whose members were also represented at the funeral.
Growing up with so many male cousins and her brother she had been "one for the boys" for many years, before growing out her long blonde hair and blossoming into "a teenage girl and into a young woman" when she started at secondary school.
Fr O'Reilly recalled Megan's love of Irish pop twins Jedward which led her parents to camp out with her in Belfast to see them and a rush to Longford airport to meet them.
The musical girl, who played the guitar, also shared a love of photography with her father and put together pictures of family and friends to make "mini movies".
She also "loved to cook from an early age", with an adventurous taste for international cuisine, although "her absolute favourite food was spaghetti hoops, they were her special delight and her special treat".
