CATHERINE Gowing’s heartbroken sister thanked members of the public as the community gathered to remember and pay tribute to the ‘dear and gentle’ vet.
Emma Maguire said on Saturday her family would never forget the kindness shown to them since popular Catherine, 37, was brutally murdered in October.
She told the 300-strong congregation at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Buckley that her younger sister had a ‘child-like sense of fun and joy’ and loved exploring the world.
Parish priest Father Francis Doyle also paid tribute to a young woman with a captivating smile and a wonderful sense of humour.
The memorial was organised by staff at Evans Veterinary Practice in Mold, where Catherine – originally from the Republic of Ireland – worked for 18 months after moving to Flintshire in early 2011.
Emma, who was with husband Shay, said she was glad to be back in North Wales ‘and to be here with all of Catherine’s friends and colleagues’.
“The service today has been such a beautiful representation of my sister,” she said afterwards.
“She is here with us in spirit.”
The emotional memorial included singing Catherine’s favourite hymns, including Amazing Grace and Calon Lân.
Children from St David’s Catholic Primary School in Mold sang All Things Bright and Beautiful and there were readings and eulogies from colleagues Carol Davies, Kate Kinread, Barbara Elder and Fran Edwards.
Carol told the congregation Catherine ‘always had the biggest hello and a beautiful smile’.
The service closed with the playing of In the Arms of an Angel.
Afterwards Carol added: “We are pleased we did it. This brought her back as a person with a wonderful sense of humour.”
Father Doyle described Catherine as a good friend and colleague to many and said she had made a lasting impression on them.
Those inside the church also heard Catherine loved films, music and ‘all God’s creatures’.
Kate said she knew from the moment Catherine arrived at the vet’s practice she would fit in perfectly and described her as a kind and caring professional whose smile and humour lit up the room.
Emma read from letters the family had received from the people of North Wales and said their love had helped them come to terms with what had happened.
She told those gathered: “If Catherine was here she would probably quote the Beatles: ‘Love, love, love. Love is all you need’.”
A book of remembrance was filled with tributes.
Her boss Esmor Evans wrote: “I’m so glad to have known and worked with you for 18 months. A dear and gentle person who will always be remembered. You are missed so much by everyone.”
She was described by others as ‘a lovely person, a true lady never to be forgotten’ and ‘such a caring and compassionate girl’.
Catherine was laid to rest in her home parish of Kinnitty, Co Offaly, in January, after remains found by police in two areas of Sealand were flown home.
But Carol said her friends and her clients in Flintshire wanted to pay their respects too.
“That’s what this is for,” she said. “It’s our way of showing our respects and how much Catherine meant to us.”
Catherine was tied up, raped, murdered and dismembered by her housemate Jane Doyle’s partner Clive Sharp, who is originally from Sealand.
Fellow vet Miss Doyle worked with Catherine in Mold and the friends lived together at quiet cul-de-sac Cae Isa in New Brighton.
She has since left the practice and moved to North West England.
Sharp, 46, was jailed for a minimum of 37 years in February and warned he might never be released. Most of Catherine’s body was never found.
