BY MICHAEL BRESLIN
The parish priest of Galloon (Newtownbutler and Donagh), Fr Michael King who was called to the fatal accident scene near Lisnaskea where four young people lost their lives early on Sunday morning told mourners at the funeral Mass for the youngest of them, Anita Swift (16) how, as a recent world champion line dancing champion, she had 'danced her way into the hearts of everyone she met'.
Anita's parents, Philip and Mary Agnes were accompanied by her older siblings, Stephen, Sandra and Jacqueline.
Loud speakers allowed the overspill part of the congregation in St Mary's Church, Newtownbutler follow the Mass and the liturgy. Anita's school friends from St Fanchea's College and staff from SuperValu, Lisnaskea, which the Swift family own, formed a guard of honour as the funeral cortege arrived at the church. Children from her old primary school, St Mary's lined the Main Street route from the Swift home on the Clones Road.
There was also an escort comprising Anita's former playing colleagues from the local First Fermanaghs GAA where she had excelled before line-dancing took over.
Fr King, who was assisted by Fr Noel Mcgahan, CC, Enniskillen, the Chaplain at St Fanchea's, told them that Anita's death was like a sword which had pierced our hearts, and he recalled how Anita was described to him as, 'a little mouse when she started school, afraid of everything and talking to no one'.
"She turned into the most bubbly, outgoing superstar, leaving behind an unforgettable impression on everyone she met. It's hard to express our emotions on an occasion like this. We offer our sympathies to the family, but words often fall short".
He recalled how Anita's confidence grew and her personality blossomed, after entering St Fanchea's College, and how she excelled in every subject. Line-dancing, which she had started at 8 years old similarly developed and, at the end of her short life, Fr King said, 'she had become nothing short of a superstar'.
"She achieved more in her sort 16 years than most of us could have achieved in a lifetime".
Turning to the fatal accident, he pleaded with people to exercise safety on the roads: "An accident takes a split second, and can happen at any time. If Anita's tragic death and circumstances of it get through to just one person, then her live will have borne much".
Anita's brother, Stephen recited a verse which described his sister as, 'a loving daughter and cherished sister' whose young life touched everyone profoundly.
He went on: "We celebrate a life lived fully, a life full of dance, sport, travel, style and joy. We rejoice in memory the gifted bright girl whose many accomplishments exceeded her few years".
Among the Prayers of the Faithful was one led by Anita's boyfriend, Paul Curran. the Sara McLachlan, 'The Arms of an Angel' was played at the end of Mass.
