Scottish Catholic Observer

Archbishop Philip Tartaglia led mourners gathered at St Patrick’s Church in Dumbarton on Saturday to remember Jack Sweeney, his wife Lorraine and their 18-year-old granddaughter Erin McQuade. On Monday 800 people attended Mass for teacher Stephenie Tait, 29, led by Canon Peter McBride at St Thomas the Apostle Church in Riddrie, Glasgow.

All four died after being struck by an out-of-control bin lorry that crashed in George Square in the city centre three days before Christmas. Two other people lost their lives and ten others were injured.

Archbishop Tartaglia (above) said at St Patrick’s that the three had been struck down in front of Mr and Mrs Sweeney’s daughter and Erin’s mother Jacqueline McQuade’s eyes—and that a ‘festive and happy’ Christmas shopping excursion to Glasgow had become the ‘worst of nightmares.’

“Their last day on this earth said it all. Jack and Lorraine, Jacqueline and Erin went on a Christmas shopping trip. Three generations of the same loving family,” Archbishop Tartaglia told mourners. “They died as they lived—together. It is fitting that they should share the same funeral Mass. They will be buried in the same grave.”

In his homily at Stephenie Tait’s funeral at St Thomas’, Canon McBride said: “All of us are still in a state of shock at the loss of Stephenie and that sense of loss will continue for those closest to her for the rest of their lives.

“However, we also gather as a people of Faith, inspired by Stephenie’s own Faith.”

Canon McBride recalled before mourners, including Ms Tait’s parents, partner, headteacher Geraldine Parkinson and pupils from St Thomas Primary School, how the late teacher was ‘comfortable and very much at home’ in St Thomas the Apostle Church.

Services have also been held for the other victims, tax worker Jacqueline Morton, 51, from Glasgow, and Gillian Ewing, 52, from Edinburgh.

The tragedy is still under investigation, and until police submit a report to the procurator fiscal, prosecutors cannot decide whether an FAI will be held.

—[email protected]

—Read the full version of this story in the January 9 print edition of the SCO in parishes.

Pic: PA PHOTOS