Tributes paid to adorable and amazing girl

Tributes paid to adorable and amazing girl

1 October 2014

THE parents of a Portaferry nursing student, who died in a tragic accident, have paid an emotional tribute to their “beautiful, smiling, adorable daughter.”

Describing their vivacious teenage daughter as an “amazing person who touched the lives of so many people”, Kelly-Anne Teggart’s mum and dad said she radiated a warmth and sincerity that people of all ages responded to with affection.

Martin and Karen Teggart were speaking shortly after the funeral of their 19 year-old daughter in Portaferry on Monday afternoon.

Kelly-Anne died last Thursday morning after she was found at the bottom of a flight of stairs in a flat in the Creggan estate in Derry.

She had just moved to the city days before to begin a nursing degree at the University of Ulster’s Magee campus.

Following Monday’s funeral mass, Kelly-Anne’s mother Karen said the family was blessed to have had a daughter who was a constant source of pride and joy.

Describing her child as “carefree and fun-loving”, she said she was a girl who could light up a room as soon as she walked in.

“She lived her short life to the full, just a typical teenager who seemed to be forever immersed in social media activities or fussing with clothes and make-up, but always attentive to people around her,” she said.

“She was a selfless, caring individual who filled us with pride and joy every day of her life.”

Kelly-Anne’s father Martin said he had drawn great strength from the support of family, friends and well-wishers.

He thanked everyone for helping the family to cope during what he described as “a heartbreaking period in our lives.”

“We knew she was a special girl, but now we realise how special she was to so many others too,” he said.

“She was that kind of a person. She made friends everywhere she went and will be remembered for the many things which helped to shape her unique presence and personality.

“Mostly she will be remembered as the beautiful, smiling, adorable daughter and sister to Lauren who graced and enriched our lives.”

Mr. Sean Sloan, principal of St. Patrick’s Grammar School where Kelly-Anne carried out her sixth form studies, has also remembered Kelly-Anne as a girl who was always smiling.

“She managed to brighten up any room she was in,” he said.

“She was determined to study nursing and she certainly possessed all the qualities to be a wonderful nurse.”

A spokeswoman for the University of Ulster where Kelly-Anne was in the early days of her nursing studies, said staff were “devastated” by Kelly-Anne’s death and expressed their sympathies to the Teggart family.