THE funerals took place yesterday of an elderly pensioner and his stepdaughter who were killed in a road crash on the A1 dual carriageway on Friday.
Raymond Halliday (87) and 47-year-old Anna Dodds were travelling in a Skoda Fabia when it was involved in a collision with a lorry and a Ford Focus at the Moneymore Road junction outside Newry.
It is understood Mr Halliday, who was from Newry, Co Down, was taking his stepdaughter, Mrs Halliday's daughter, to Banbridge where she was due to catch a bus with friends.
Speaking after the crash Evelyn Halliday said she was still struggling to take in the shocking news of her loved-ones' deaths.
"It still hasn't hit me," she told the Belfast Telegraph, describing her late husband of 25 years as a "true gentleman".
The great-grandmother said her daughter, who lived in Bessbrook, Co Armagh, was "completely devoted" to her nieces and nephews.
"Anna was going to the Farmers' Bash at the SSE Arena. She loved country and western music. She lived for her family," she said.
"Raymond was a gentleman. He was a brilliant husband. He would make me breakfast in bed every day.
"He was a great storyteller, he could tell hundreds of jokes. Raymond loved fishing and watching football."
Ms Dodds' funeral service took place at her mother's home yesterday morning, followed by burial at Ryan's Presbyterian Church graveyard.
Later Mr Halliday's funeral service took place at St Luke's Parish Church, Mullaglass, followed by burial in the adjoining churchyard.
The mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Ulster Unionist Julie Flaherty, extended her "heartfelt sympathies" to the families of those affected by the "devastating" crash.
