“ALWAYS happy” is how the brother of the late Corina Leavey described his “friendly and caring” older sister who passed away unexpectedly, leaving her family and friends in shock.

Corina (39), late of Mullyneeny, Derrylin, died unexpectedly on June 4 at Altnagelvin Hospital.

Speaking highly of his beloved older sister, Mark Leavey said: “Corina was very friendly and very caring. She was very loving to her niece and nephews.”

He went on to describe her as a “role model”.

“I would have been very proud of her for what she achieved in life. She didn’t have it easy, living with spina bifida, but she went to school like everyone else in Derrylin.

“She went to the primary and secondary school there, and as soon as she turned 17 she did her test and she was driving before me – she was so independent; nothing fazed her.

“I just saw her as a role model,” said Mark, explaining that his sister taught him that there was no point complaining about the small things in life.

“She was happy and content with life. You’d never hear her complain or give out about anything,” he said of his sister’s positive attitude.

“Maybe about the weather, but that’s about it,” he said with a laugh.

From when she left school, Corina worked as a receptionist for Fermanagh Enterprise Ltd. at the Enniskillen Business Centre, a position she held for more than 20 years.

“She enjoyed working there, getting to meet people as front of house. She knew all the different businesses and would have done all of the admin duties.

“She would have known a lot of people in there,” said Mark.

A very creative person, in her spare time Corina enjoyed arts and crafts.

“When it was a birthday or anything you never got a card from the shop, it was always a nice hand-made one, nicely decorated with a lot of time and effort put into it,” said Mark, who went on to note that Corina was also an avid reader.

“She was a big reader; she would have done a huge amount of reading.”

Recalling fond memories of time spent with Corina, Mark said they had great fun on family day trips, travelling to the likes of Bundoran.

“It was good fun getting away with her,” he said, going on to highlight a trip they all took to Centre Parcs in Longford two years ago. “She enjoyed that; we had a good time there with her.”

Hospital

Over a month ago Corina was admitted to Altnagelvin Hospital where she battled a sudden illness.

Mark recalled visiting her the night before she passed away; she was in good form with the doctors indicating that she may be moved to Enniskillen to be closer to home, but unfortunately her condition unexpectedly deteriorated the next day.

On the morning of Friday, June 4, Corina’s family received the heartbreaking call to say that she had passed away.

Corina’s funeral took place on Monday, June 7, with Requiem Mass in St. Ninnidh’s Church, Derrylin followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.

Funeral arrangements were carried out by the Patrick Blake Group, Derrylin.

Stood out

Although there was a limited number of people who could attend Corina’s funeral service due to current restrictions, many members of the local community stood out to pay their respects.

Commenting that this meant a lot to the family, Mark said: “It just summed her up; she was well-respected in the community, everyone knew her.

“It definitely meant a lot that people took time out to say their farewells.”

Dear daughter of Seamus and the late Kitty, and loving sister of Mark (Leona) and Emmett (Lisa), Corina is very sadly missed by her family circle and friends.