A CO Armagh family have suffered the tragic loss of their second daughter in just three weeks.
Sisters Sheena and Lavine Murtagh from Lissummon outside Newry have been "reunited again side by side" following their deaths within weeks of each other.
It is less than a month since Brian and Angela Murtagh said their final farewells to their first-born daughter Lavine (36), who died on April 17.
Their second daughter Sheena (33) passed away peacefully on Tuesday at Craigavon Area Hospital. Both women had cerebral palsy.
The family believe the "two sisters couldn't be separated".
Hundreds of mourners gathered at the Church of Immaculate Conception in Lissummon, near Newry, yesterday for the funeral of Sheena.
Photographs of the two sisters appeared on an order of service, with a tribute which simply said: "My love for my sister is so strong, we are reunited again side by side blessed as angels watching over from heaven".
Their parents have been praised for providing their two daughters with "every opportunity" in life.
A family friend said the loss of the two sisters within weeks of each other had left the close-knit community of Lissummon "shocked and saddened".
Sheena worked in the Windsor Day Centre, for people with disabilities, in Newry where she was "loved by all the staff and her peers, and was often seen nipping out to for a coffee break".
She spent her weekends shopping with her mother and dining out with family and had a love for music, in particular Westlife.
She was described as being "caring, great fun, full of beans and always up for the craic".
"Residents in the Lissummon community outside Newry have been deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden and untimely passing of Sheena Murtagh, sister of Lavine Murtagh, who died just three weeks ago," said the family friend.
"Sheena, like Lavine, was born with cerebral palsy, but that never stopped her living life to the full with her parents support.
"Given Lavine's recent passing, family are of the view that the two sisters couldn't be separated.
"Brian and Angela gave the two girls every opportunity and the community of Lissummon have great admiration and respect for them given the care they offered their only two daughters for 36 years."
Martin Rice, chairman of Lissummon GFC, said the two sisters would be missed.
"Sheena was well-known and will be greatly missed by everyone in Lissummon," he said.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Brian and Angela during this very difficult time losing two daughters so closely together."
Friends have also paid tribute to the two women on social media.
One pal said: "My wee star, now you're reunited with my other wee star. I will never forget you both and all the happy memories we shared together every day".
Another friend said: "So so sorry for Brian and Angela to lose two children in such a short time".
