Community gathers for funeral of 81-year-old woman who died without next of kin

Mourners gather to remember elderly woman who passed without next of kin. The funeral of an 81-year-old woman, who died without any known relatives, was attended by over 100 people who wished to pay their respects despite many having never met her.

Those who gathered at the service included neighbours, acquaintances, volunteers and strangers to remember Margaret Ellen 'Peggy' Murdoch. One man who came to pay his respects said the huge turnout reminded him that there is "kindness and humanity" in the world.

An appeal was launched to find Margaret's next of kin after she passed away on 9 April in hospital, but no one has come forward. Margaret lived in Lisadian House Nursing Home in Hillsborough and El Shammah Nursing Home, but prior to that she lived in Wilson Street in Lisburn and Seacash Walk in Antrim.

The funeral director said they do not know about her personal circumstances other than that she had a twin brother who predeceased her. Tuesday's service in Lisburn was arranged after the appeal triggered a groundswell of community compassion.

"We have come together today to honour and remember Margaret, a woman who has touched more people than any of us could have expected," those gathered in Ronnie Thompson's Funeral Church were told.

Celebrant Roisin Murphy told mourners that Margaret, who was born in the 1940s, was a women of "quiet routines". She added that those who knew her in Lisadian nursing home described her as a "lovely lady, with a very sweet and gentle soul".

In her younger years she enjoyed going out and socialising with her friends in the local pub. But as time went on, she traded the cocktails for mocktails. Murphy said Margaret enjoyed a good meal, listening to the singers that came into Lisadian, and, perhaps most of all, her cats.

Joan Whyte, who had stopped to watch as a large crowd of mourners followed the coffin from the church, said when she saw the crowd she thought the funeral was of "someone very important".

"And now I know what's going on, I think what's happening is very important," she added. "People who came out today should be very proud of themselves, because it must be awful to think that, you know, if you die, there would be nobody there at your funeral."

Sydney Murphy, who also attended the funeral, said, after his son-in-law told him about the circumstances of Margaret's death, he helped search for family members.

"After hearing of Peggy's situation - she had no relatives and was alone - I tried to find somebody related to her, but nobody was forthcoming.

"So, instead, I decided to come here today. In her final hour, I thought it was the least I could do."

Piper Mark Smyth said after hearing of the appeal for local support, he got in touch to tell the funeral director he would be "willing and glad" to provide some music.

"This could have been a very small funeral, but for Ronnie Thompson's Funeral Home making that call to launch an appeal and as you seen today, it was a huge, wonderful funeral," he said. "I think the community really excelled.

"The right word for what we witnessed today is 'uplifting'. It reminded you that there is kindness and humanity still around, even in these unusual times. It was great to see the kids, and the carers - they are the family of the deceased, after all. they are ones who would have been with her last."

A singer at the service said: "I just thought it would be wonderful to be able to celebrate her life, and I approached Ronnie Thompson's and said I'd be delighted to sing at the service today, and it was just an honour to be here."