Jackie Farrell had a heart ‘made of gold’

THE granddaughter of the first man from Strabane to perish from the coronavirus has paid a heartfelt tribute to “a very special” person.

Speaking on behalf of her family this week, Bronagh Farrell said that her granda Jackie was like a hero to his children and grandchildren.

Jackie Farrell passed away on April 2 at Altnagelvin Hospital. He had previously tested positive for Covid-19. His funeral took place on Sunday at St Mary’s Church, Melmount although because of continuing social distancing, many members of the family had to watch the service from home via the church’s webcam facility.

“My granda Jackie Farrell was a very special man, he was one quite like no other,” Bronagh said.

“I and the rest of my family spent our lives adoring, admiring and idolising him. He was our hero. He had ears that truly listened, arms that always held, love that was never ending and a heart that was made of gold.”

According to Bronagh her granda had shown mild symptoms of the virus before being admitted to hospital.

“He was weak in himself and had a slight temperature the morning he was admitted into hospital but that’s about it,” she said. “It was hard for us to believe when the results came back positive for Covid-19 at the time of his death.”

She continued, “My family were extremely careful when caring for my granda, here is the evidence that you can never be too careful.

“We would not wish this heartache on any other family because now we cannot grieve or celebrate his life together with our family or see him again to give him the send off he deserves. Please, please, follow and listen to the advice and guidelines given by the NHS. Keep your distance, wash your hands, and remember: You are not stuck at home, you are safe at home.”