A trail of joyful light the darkness can never cancel out
Priest addresses mourners at Sarah’s funeral Mass
SARAH Mcnally has “left behind a trail of joyful light” which “the darkness can never cancel out”, the slain woman’s funeral heard.
The 41-year-old died on March 30 after being stabbed to death at the Ceili House Bar in Queens, New York where she was working as a bartender.
Her boyfriend, Marcin Pieciak, 36, is accused of murdering Sarah after allegedly stabbing her repeatedly before cutting his own throat.
Yesterday, Thin Lizzy’s Sarah played through the speakers at St Mel’s Cathedral in Longford as hundreds of mourners paid their respects.
Speaking at the funeral Mass, Sarah’s friend Aine said everyone in her communities in Longford and New York were “shell shocked” when they learned of her tragic death.
Holding back tears, she added: “Sarah was larger than life, she was someone special, a unique force to be reckoned with.
“She was loyal, trustworthy, warm and she gave the best hugs. Sarah had the looks and the intelligence, she had brains to burn.
“At one point she thought she could be Longford’s next top rapper and wrote deep poetry.
“She had an extensive group of friends, she was loved and treasured by all of her amigos as she called us, she was so fun and lighthearted and you would always laugh in Sarah’s company.” Sarah was an only child who is survived by her parents Dorrie and Des.
Aine added: “She was daddy’s girl, you gave her the confidence, independence, and the gift of the gab.
“And Dorrie, you were an amazing mum to Sarah, a best friend and a sister, you had a beautiful and unique bond.”
Fr Michael Mcgrath said the Longford woman’s life was “quenched in the most horrific manner”.
He added: “Sarah’s tragic and sudden death is a blunt reminder that we are all fragile and life is a fleeting gift and everything can change in a heartbeat.” Ms Mcnally was living in New York for a decade where she worked in various bars.
Before that, she worked as a civil servant for the Irish Prison Service.
LOVED
Fr Mcgrath said: “She loved life, she loved cars, colleagues remember her as one who could have invented online shopping before it came in.
“The strict confines of a nine to five in the civil service were never going to be enough to offer excitement for her.
“It was only a matter of time before she spread her wings and headed internationally. In her short life span of 41 years she has left behind a trail of joyful light and the darkness that is being suffered now can never cancel out all the good enjoyed then, in fact, it makes the memories all the sweeter.”
Sarah’s uncle, whom she affectionately called Uncle Ed, at the end of the Mass, said: “Sarah you are a beautiful, unique, very special, kind, and very loving girl with the most beautiful smile, you lit up the room everywhere you went and I’ve no doubt you’re shining bright in heaven now.
“We are going to miss you so much until we meet again, rest in peace, Sarah.”
Sarah was someone special, a unique force to be reckoned with
A FRIEND OF SARAH’S AT FUNERAL MASS YESTERDAY