A Co Armagh pensioner who survived a shocking loyalist gun attack on her family's pub has been remembered as "resilient and determined".
Bernie Canavan died peacefully at her home in Poyntzpass surrounded by relatives in the early hours of Monday after a short illness.
The 89-year-old was well-known in Co Armagh and a familiar figure in the Railway Bar in Poyntzpass.
Originally from Carrickcruppen in south Armagh, she spent the final months of her life being cared at home by her loving family, which has strong GAA connections.
Her son Brian is a former Armagh captain and co-manager who helped the Orchard county win back-to-back Ulster titles in 1999 and 2000, while her son Damien also represented his county.
Her nephew Declan Canavan is also a former Armagh star while her great niece Caroline O'Hanlon has played football for Armagh ladies and netball for Northern Ireland.
In March 1998, Mrs Canavan was in the Railway Bar when an LVF gang shot dead two customers, Philip Allen and Damien Trainor.
The murders took place just weeks before the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.
Mrs Canavan, a mother-of-four, escaped serious injury.
In an interview with The Irish News in 2018, marking the 20th anniversary of the Poyntzpass attack, she spoke of her determination to reopen the business.
Her son Brian said the numbers attending mother's funeral will small.
“Because we are in the bar trade she was so well known – through the bar, football and through politics,” he said.
“If it was a normal funeral the place would be jammed.”
He said his mother never forgot the deadly attack.
“She was a very resilient woman,” he said.
“It didn't wreck her completely. She didn't let that beat her.
“She was a very determined woman.”
He said Mrs Canavan was up and about until recent months.
“She had a good life and was active until last six months,” he said.
“She loved horse racing and craic in the pub and she could have spoken about anything.”
Former Armagh All-Ireland winner and SDLP assembly member Justin McNulty said Mrs Canavan “stood up in very difficult times for her values which were always life enhancing”.
Sinn Féin councillor Oonagh Magennis said “her passing has deeply saddened all here in the village”.
Mrs Canavan's husband Desmond predeceased her in 2013.
