“We are deeply grateful to all our relatives, friends, family and neighbours for their kindness”
The families of Vanessa Whyte and her children James and Sara Rutledge have gave their “heartfelt thanks” to the people of Co Fermanagh for their support, kindness and compassion in the wake of their murders.
Vanessa and her two teenage children died after they were shot in their Maguiresbridge home on Wednesday, July 23, with their deaths causing a wave of heartbreak and sadness across the entire island of Ireland.
Their families have now issued a statement to thank the people of Co Fermanagh, the PSNI, emergency service workers, local clergy members, teachers and everyone who took the time to pay their respects saying their support has “meant more than anyone could imagine”.
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A statement from the family, issued through Keith Elliott at W T Morrison Funeral Directors said: “The Rutledge & Hoy families wish to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to everyone who supported and sympathised with us during our recent heart-breaking loss.
“A special word of thanks to the people of Fermanagh who took time to stop their cars, vans and buses and to those who were standing along the roadside as Vanessa, James & Sara made their way from the funeral home at Ballycassidy to Maguiresbridge, across Fermanagh, one last time. To the Management and Staff of the Killyhevlin Hotel who performed a guard of honour as the cortege passed the Hotel, thank you. These acts of respect meant more than anyone could ever imagine.
“Thank you also to the PSNI who assisted in traffic management for the cortege that day. Thank you to the many people lining the streets in Maguiresbridge and to the many sports clubs and work colleagues who stood for guards of honour.
“Thank you to all those who attended the funeral, to the clergy who conducted the funeral service Father Raymond, Bishop Ellis and Rev Johnny McLoughlin , Sharon Kelly for her outstanding singing in the Chapel, Ms Armstrong, and those who read the prayers of the faithful. At this time, we must also single out Rev Johnny for his deep care, support and guidance during this time, not just during the funeral and its planning but in the weeks since.
“Thank you to Honor Irvine for allowing the use of Maguiresbridge primary school for the teas after the service, a place steeped in memories and to Norman Coalter with his team, for providing the excellent service and food.
“Our most sincere thanks go to Keith Elliott and his team at W T Morrisons for the help in organising all of the funeral arrangements. A special thank-you to Keith in particular for his compassionate guidance and words of comfort at such a very difficult time – we will never be able to express how much we all appreciated everything that he did, his support helped us through.
“Heartfelt thanks must go to all the members of the emergency services who attended to our family on the morning of the 23rd July, at Drummeer Road, in these most extreme circumstances we trust that you will always know how much your care & professionalism is appreciated. A special thanks also to the staff of the South West Acute Hospital A & E and ICU departments.
“We are deeply grateful to all our relatives, friends, family and neighbours for their kindness. To all those who sent food, cooked meals, offered practical help with the farm, sent cards and travelled to be with us at this most difficult time.
“As it is not possible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as a token of our sincere gratitude from the entire family during this sad and difficult time.”
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