Millie's funeral just a year after her baptism

Rodney Edwards • Published 23 Dec 2009 09:00

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"Today Millie is very much alive in heaven. She is not an angel, or a star, she is Millie and she is alive with Jesus."

The comforting words of the Rev. Henry Blair, speaking at the funeral of 15-month-old toddler Millie Martin.

The little girl lost her fight for life after suffering "horrific injuries" at her home in Glebe Park nearly a fortnight ago. The partner of Millie's mother, Barry McCarney, 30, has been charged with the toddler's murder.

After a short, poignant service at the home of her grandparents, Margaret and Noel Graham in Kesh, a small, white coffin carrying Millie's little body was brought to Ardess Parish Church, a short distance away, with mourners following on foot.

It was hugely sombre, hugely quiet, with just the sounds of footsteps and tears. And it was all the more tragic to note that just a year ago on the same weekend at this very Church, little Millie was baptised.

Millie's grandfathers, Noel Graham and Edward Martin and her uncle Peter Martin took it in turns to carry the coffin, while her grieving mother Rachel walked alongside.

In a Church filled to capacity, Canon Eric McGirr welcomed mourners, describing Millie's death as a "tremendous loss and terrible shock".

The lessons were read by two of Millie's uncles, Peter and Matthew. They read from Psalm 23 "The Lord is my shepherd" and from the New Testament, where Christ called the children to come to him.

The Rev. Henry Blair told the congregation that Millie was "very much alive in Heaven" and that she was "not an angel, not a star, she's Millie."

"Today we pray for Jesus to comfort Millie's mother Rachel, grandmother Margaret and Noel, grandfather Edward and Michelle and great grandfather Ivan and to support and comfort the whole Martin family circle at this time," he said.

The Rev. Blair said Millie's "cute smiling face" would bring a smile to everyone who saw her.

"Rachel doted on Millie, she was her beautiful fun loving little girl, with a smiling face who loved nothing better than to cuddle up to her mother. Millie was just like any toddler she loved music and loved to try and sing along and dance to the music. She loved to play games with mummy and playing 'round and round the garden' on her hand was her favourite which always brought a giggle."

The Rev. Blair explained how Jesus wept at the grave of Lazarus, saying; "Do not be afraid of your tears. Allow them to bring God's comfort and healing. Come with happy faces to the place of prayer. God knows what it is like to lose a child. Take comfort from knowing that little Millie is with Jesus," he said.

The Rev. Blair said the family now needs the "prayers, strength and comfort" of the entire community in the days ahead, adding; "Our God is the God of all comfort,"

After the service, the remains of little Millie were taken to Sydare Cemetery in Ballinamallard for burial where close family members said their final goodbyes. A little teddy bear wreath from Millie's mother was placed poignantly on her daughter's grave with the moving words: "To Mummy's darling little Princess Millie. I will love you and miss you forever XOXO. My precious baby girl."

In her first and only interview last week, an emotional Rachel Martin told the Impartial Reporter about her final moments with her "darling" little Millie.

"The doctors kept doing tests and tests, we hoped so much that she'd wake up. They tried to see if there was any life left in her but there wasn't. They let me nurse her before they turned off the life-support machine and after they switched it off too. I kissed and cuddled her, holding her in my arms. She was my perfect princess with a lovely smile and beautiful big eyes, and she should still be here."

"I feel sick that she's gone. I can't believe she's not here any more... I love her so, so much. I want her back so much."

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 23 Dec 09

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