Six-year-old Kourtney McCormick was ‘an angel walking on earth’, funeral hears

“The happiest, most loving, sweetest child in the world.”

The six-year-old girl who died in a tragic crash last weekend was “an angel walking on earth”, her funeral has heard.

Kourtney McCormick died “in the arms of her loving mummy and daddy” after she was hit by a van in the Springfarm Heights area of Newry on Sunday, June 21. Her death has led to an outpouring of grief in the local community and across Northern Ireland.

Mourners at her funeral on June 27 in St Brigid’s Church followed the family’s request of wearing bright colours in Kourtney’s memory, with a sea of pink, red, and white visible in the pews of the packed church.

Born on May 22, 2020, Kourtney was described by the priest as being the “youngest child in a loving family.” She died one month after celebrating her sixth birthday.

At the beginning of the funeral service, Kourtney’s siblings brought items she loved to the altar in her memory. They brought up her housecoat, which they said she would have never taken off; her school folder, for her love of attending St Patrick’s Primary and Nursery School; a flower lei to mark her love for the movie Moana; her teddy, and a toy dog to remember her love of animals.

Paying tribute, the priest said: “Kourtney had a wonderful life, which was albeit too short. Loving and caring Kourtney gave so much to her family and many friends.

“She loved school, and was annoyed when she was kept off for whatever reason. She made many friends there and was loved by the entire school community.

“She would come to mass with her family in this church on Saturdays, where she would love to run up and down the middle aisle.

“She would frequently say ‘I love you, you are my hero’ to family and friends – she would tell her mum and dad at least once a day.

“Her older sister, Jasmine, would bring Kourtney to McDonald’s for a treat and joke asking if she had money to pay, when Kourtney would say ‘it was your idea.’

“She loved getting her hair done, music, singing, and dancing. There was no end to the magic Kourtney brought to her family, siblings, and extended family. She was the centre of attention but would never leave anyone out.

“Blake, her special little friend who was one year younger, would join the family for dinner some evenings as they wouldn’t want to be apart. They were very close, good friends.

“Kourtney was an angel walking on earth, who will be remembered for her warm heart and presence.”

Following the communion, Kourtney’s siblings took to the altar to pay tribute. Her older sister, Jasmine, said “there are no words that come close to describe how perfect, happy, and loved our Kourtney was.”

She added: “The happiest, most loving, sweetest child in the world. My wee sister, the baby of the house, my baby.

“Our little sweetheart changed the lives of every single person no matter whether they knew her for her entire life, or if they had only walked past her once.

“Kourtney was the person who brightened any room she walked into, constantly had a smile on her face and so much happiness in her eyes, a child who enjoyed absolutely everything and loved absolutely everyone.

“Alongside being so loving, Kourtney was a true character who always acted herself and never changed for anyone. A child who loved the spotlight and being the centre of attention, but also made sure to put those around her first.

“Our baby was so full of life. She adored singing and dancing, would have sat for hours with some pencils and a piece of paper, drawing and colouring in, and had so much love for animals.

“She was so curious and loved God, forever enjoyed getting to watch movies and playing with her toys and friends and family, and most of all, she strived to make people laugh and just enjoyed being a child.

“Our princess was filled with innocence and warmth, a bright child with an unimaginably strong presence and personality, and most definitely what should have been an amazing future.

“She will never have been able to understand how much I or anyone else loved her, but I know that anyone who knows me knew how much I loved her.

“Not only did she love me and everybody else, she adored her mummy and daddy. Never let mummy run past her without giving her a hug and a kiss and telling daddy every single day, ‘daddy, I love you, you’re my hero.’ She truly did have them wrapped around her little finger.”

Jasmine added: “Life can be so cruel, and I know nobody will be able to understand why this happened to our baby who was so completely undeserving of this tragedy.

“To quote your favourite movie, Moana, there is nowhere you could go that I won’t be with you, and I know that you’ll always be with me, even though I can’t see you. You will never leave the side of our mummy and daddy, our brothers and sisters, Katie, Shane, Mya, Zac, and Georgia.

“We will meet again, and I’ll get to see that cheeky little smile in your eyes that were always filled with joy. Forever 6, my baby, stolen from us far too soon.

“But if love could have saved you, you would have lived forever. Squeezy hugs hopes forever, my girl, until I see you again.”

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