Friends and family of a couple who died on holiday in Spain heard how their deaths have left an "immeasurable void" at their joint Funeral Mass. The Requiem Mass for Thomasina and Patrick Tobin was addressed by Canon Patrick McGinn on Friday morning.
"They will be very much missed by their family, relatives and friends," he said. Mrs Tobin, née McArdle, was originally from Cabra, near Castleblayney, Ireland, but was living with her family in the Greenwich area of London when the tragedy happened last month.
Deaths in Spanish villa
The 51-year-old quantity surveyor and her New Zealand-born husband Patrick, 48, were found dead in the hot tub of the villa they were renting with their teenage children Rhea and Séamus in the Spanish resort of Cullera near Valencia on August 24. Reports in Spain said postmortems show they suffered fatal heart stoppages when they became trapped in the hot tub.
One theory is that both cardiac arrests were brought on by physical exhaustion in the struggle; another is that one of them was electrocuted and the other died when they tried to rescue them. Hundreds of people packed into the Our Lady of Knock Church in Ballintra, south of Castleblayney, on Friday morning for the couple's joint Requiem Mass.
Tributes to devoted parents
Canon McGinn told the mourners that the pair were devoted to their children. He said: "We know that Patrick and Thomasina were much loved parents to Rhea and Séamus. They will be very much missed by their family, relatives and friends."
He added: "The sudden passing has left an immeasurable void in the lives of all who loved them. We thank God this morning for the love and joy that Thomasina and Paddy gave to so many people during their short life. It is our faith that Patrick and Thomasina are reunited with all their loved ones who have gone before them."
Symbols of their lives
Several items from the couple's life together were then brought up to the altar. The symbols included a photo of the couple and their children. Canon McGinn said: "This represents the family that Paddy and Thomasina created together and how Rhea and Séamus were at the heart of their lives, Paddy being a devoted father, Thomasina being a loving mum. They created a lovely home together in Greenwich."
Other items included a photograph of Patrick with some of his medals from the sports he enjoyed - including marathons. And a Pounamu stone, from Mr Tobin's native New Zealand, was also presented. That is a sacred green stone that embodies strength, spirit and an eternal connection between people and the land. It was gifted to Mr Tobin by his parents when he was 20.
There was also a hard hat - representing Mrs Tobin's love for her work as a surveyor. Canon McGinn said: "Although Thomasina was quite tiny in stature, her work took her on to many iconic construction sites in London."
Prayers and condolences
He then offered the two families prayer and sympathy from communities across Ireland and abroad. He said: "There are so many heartbroken at their tragic deaths. When I heard the news I did not think we would be celebrating their lives here in Ballintra. We are all so sad for you who are heartbroken today. We really do not know what to say, all we can do is huddle in grief around the remains of shattered dreams and what might have been.
"We just can hold you in our hearts today. The highest platitudes are not much use to us. We need to realise that we are in the middle of real suffering." Canon McGinn then told the couple's family that mourners could only hope for comfort for them. He added: "We pray for you and we know that Thomasina and Patrick are happy today in a different place."
And he also paid tribute to the couple. He said: "Paddy and Thomasina welcomed everybody into their home. They were all so generous in every way. They were both meticulous in how they approached projects and tasks. Their home was a proud example."
And he said: "Their children were the most important part of their lives. Thomasina being a mother, it was the most important thing in her life and she spoke about it often. I know at Christmas, Thomasina and Paddy and children would always come [home from London] and Rhea and Séamus were so much part of that visit. Paddy became part of the McArdle family very quickly. He came from the Tobin family who were a warm and close knit family themselves and Paddy understood and enjoyed all the fun that the McArdles threw at him during the visits. It was always a pleasure to see their car arrive in Cabra, full of gifts and presents, teddies and all sorts of things for Christmas."
Mrs Tobin's brother John then thanked everyone who had helped the families since the tragedy. There was later a private cremation ceremony for Mr and Mrs Tobin. They are survived by their children Rhea and Séamus.
Their death notice on RIP.ie also said: "Thomasina, beloved daughter of Tommy and the late Nancy McArdle, was predeceased by her nephew Lewis and niece Sophia. She will be sadly missed by her father Tommy, her siblings Kathy, Julianne, John, Elizabeth, Anne Marie, Cera, Septima and Duana, their partners, nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends."
"Patrick, beloved son of Clare and Michael Tobin, will be deeply missed by his sisters Selena, Natasha and Katische, niece Grace, nephew Cooper, aunts, uncles, extended family and friends in Ireland, New Zealand, the UK and beyond. Thomasina and Paddy shared a life filled with love, family and friendship. Their sudden passing has left an immeasurable void in the lives of all who knew and loved them."
