Mourners at the funeral yesterday of Donegal aid worker Joyce Campbell heard chief celebrant Fr Michael McCullagh describe her as someone who had fulfilled her dream by going to work with the underprivileged in Ethiopia.
Joyce (25) from Meenmore, Dungloe died in a single car crash in Ethiopia on July 31st. She was part of a group of Irish volunteers working with the Vincentian Lay Missioners in Ethiopia.
She was working in educational projects for children in Bruh Tesfah College, Welyta, about nine hours south of Addis Ababa.
She was returning to her base camp with two Irish friends when the accident occurred killing her instantly. Tragically Joyce was just into her third week of a four-month stay when the accident occurred some miles from Addis Ababa.
The town of Dungloe came to a standstill yesterday as the funeral cortege made its way through the main street. Businesses closed their doors and members of the community and her friends formed a guard of honour near the church close to the family home at Meenmore.
Her parents, Paddy and Irene, brothers, Stewart, Kenneth and Derek, sisters, Mary Pat and Helen led the mourners into St Crona's Church for the funeral service of the youngest member of the family and then to the cemetery at nearby Maghery.
Fr McCullagh, a neighbour and close family friend, said the community was united in grief.
"Joyce Campbell was fulfilling her ultimate dream by going to Ethiopia just a few short weeks ago to work with the underprivileged. In just a few days following her arrival she was at home among people where she realised it was not okay that children should have only one meal.
"This week Joyce would have secured a two-year contract to work as an NGO in Ethiopia but last Sunday our dear Joyce received a new and unexpected call, a call which seems so unfair against all our dreams and hopes for her."
Fr McCullagh said Joyce was the type of person who stood by her word at all times. He was in New Zealand when he heard of the tragedy and returned immediately to be with the family.
The Bishop of Raphoe, Dr Philip Boyce, 16 priests from various parts of Donegal together with members of the Vincentian Lay Fathers concelebrated the funeral Mass. Bishop Boyce extended his sympathy to the family on their tragic loss.
Close friend Trishia Gallagher spoke of how Joyce touched so many lives in her 25 years. Her brother Kenneth paid a tribute to his sister and thanked everyone for their support since they received the tragic news a week ago.
Prayers were also offered at the Mass for her colleagues Paul Brady and Alan Matthews who were injured in the accident.
President Mary McAleese was represented at the funeral by her chaplain Fr Sam Clyne while Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was represented by his aide-de-camp Comdt Albert Cusack.