'A beautiful young soul' - Communities mourn as 10-year-old Zara laid to rest

An air of deep serenity and dignified silence descended upon the tranquil and sun blessed north Leitrim village of Kinlough and St Aidan’s Church on Tuesday morning, as the communities of north Leitrim and south Donegal came together as one, to honour the “beautiful soul” of Zara Witherow (10) having joined the chorus of angels in heaven.  

Zara from Tawley,​​​​​ in ​​​​Castlegal, near Bundoran died peacefully in the loving arms of her heartbroken parents, Mark and Gina and sister Alannah on Sunday past, having battled osteosarcoma cancer for the previous 13 months, with a fortitude, resilience and spirit that displayed a remarkable heroism that defied someone so young of age, but endowed with a wisdom, strength and insight, far beyond the first flushes of youth. 

Only last November, Zara herself had presented a cheque for an amazing €25,906 to Ronald McDonald House, which is attached to Crumlin Children's hospital in Dublin and where the family were given the dignity and respect that is so important at these most difficult times.

Symbols of her young life were presented by her young cousins and friends, which included many facets of her life and talents, including part of the full Harry Potter collection that she had read by the age of seven, and a personal letter from author JK Rowling, while she was ill, one of her most treasured possessions as well as a photo of Mika, her faithful dog who was in her life, from that of a baby as well as her personal journey which recorded her feelings and helped her through her most difficult times as with her sketching and drawing, picking up a prize as recently as the Meenacross Agricultural Show in Dungloe.  

During the Memorial Service of Remembrance in thanksgiving for her life and Mass of the Angels, Niamh Boyle gave an emotive eulogy that summed up the beauty, multiplicity of talent and dynamism of an exceptional and remarkable young girl.  

She described Zara as a “beautiful young soul”, “much loved daughter” and “cool little sister to Alannah” and “precious granddaughter”. 

“An artist, a singer, a fashion designer, she was a thoughtful and caring friend and cousin who loved school and loved all her friends. She was a wee rascal full of mischief,” Niamh recalled as with “a look” that those who knew Zara well, might occasionally be the recipient of.

“Zara being Zara, she approached her illness with resilience and courage and overcame so much with each ordeal that she faced. She was determined to walk and determined to hang out with her friends, determined to live.

She recalled how Dad Mark was always proud of her achievements but never more so than the day she walked into MacCumhaill Park on one leg with her crutches, in front of 10,000 people. 

Mum Gina always felt that Zara had been here before, she was a deep thinker, an old soul with a maturity way beyond her ten years, Niamh also recalled. 

Fr John Phair P.P., assisted by Fr Thomas Keogan P.E. also recalled a poignant gesture of how the day before Zara passed, her Mum Gina had told him that on seeing her Daddy upset, Zara had the fortitude and sensitivity to still be able to reach over for a tissue and give it to him.  

Zara's passing will be a source of huge sadness and pain to her loving parents Gina and Mark, her sister Alannah, grandparents Cairns and Margaret, Pat (deceased), Colin and Leo, her extended family, friends, school friends and so many more, to whom deepest sympathy is extended, and whom she blessed in her short but hugely productive life.

After the Mass of Angels at St. Aidan's Church, burial took place in St. Aidan's Cemetery, Kinlough.​​​​​​​ 

“Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep. I am the thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glint on snow, I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain.” 

Rest in peace Zara.