THE funeral service has taken place today, (Thursday), for Michael and Marjorie Cawdery, the couple with connections to Fermanagh, who were murdered in their Portadown home at the end of May.

Michael and Marjorie had lived with their three children in Lisbellaw for more than 20 years before moving to Portadown.

They were remembered fondly by their former Fermanagh neighbour, David Hamill, as a “private couple” who were “very gracious people”.

The service in Drumcree Parish Church, Portadown today was conducted by the Revd Gary Galway.

A large number of mourners attended the service along with members of the close family circle.

Following news of the double murder on May 26, mourners arrived for the funeral from the USA, Isle of Man, Britain and many parts of Ireland.

Family members present included Michael’s brother Paddy, his sister Sally and Marjorie’s brother Ned, as well as their three children; Shirley, Wendy and Graham, son-in-laws Brian and Charles, and four grandchildren, Peter, Calum, Alex and Tasha.

The service included the hymn Abide with Me marking Michael’s early education at Portora Royal School, Enniskillen and Morning Has Broken was also sung, which was a favourite of Marjorie. Other music reflected the couple’s early married life and love of East Africa.

The Rev Galway paid tribute to the couple in his address saying: “My heart and the heart of this community goes out to the family and I know from speaking to many within our church and in the local community who are in faith, that they continue to uphold the family in their prayers.”

Following the funeral, the committal at Roselawn Crematorium will be strictly private at the request of the family.

The family wish to express their gratitude to the community in Upper Ramone Park and throughout Portadown and wider afield for their expressions of gratitude and simple acts of remembrance such as flowers. Support to the family has also been provided by members of Drumcree Parish Church where Shirley, the couple’s elder daughter attends.

“For this we are very grateful,” said the family, adding: “We are still deeply shocked by the terrible events of May 26 and it will take time to accept them. But we are pleased that so many people have contacted us to pay tribute to Michael, a man of enormous intellect and hands-on ability who never ceased learning, and Marjorie his devoted wife and partner for over 55 years. We remember her as a gentle, warm and humorous mother and grandmother.”