Cheers to the laughter, the tears and the memories...you'll be in my heart for ever

Sister's moving tribute to her 'best friend'

- BY NICOLA DONNELLY

FASHION designer Martha NolanO'Slatarra had "a special way of lighting up every room she walked into", her funeral mass was told yesterday.

And she was her sister's "built-in best friend" mourners heard at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Co Carlow.

Ms Nolan-O'Slatarra, 33, died in Montauk in New York's Hamptons on Tuesday, August 5.

The successful fashion designer and businesswoman, who had been living in the US for a number of years, was found unconscious on a boat at Montauk Yacht Club, where passers- by attempted to revive her. Emergency services pronounced her dead at the scene in the early hours of the morning.

Ms Nolan-O'Slatarra's remains were repatriated to Ireland, and yesterday they were carried into the Cathedral in a bronze coffin yesterday.

REPATRIATED

Chief mourners at Martha's funeral included her mother Elma, sister Jacqui, grandparents, Betty and Liam, uncle John and aunts Michelle, Barry and Mona and partner of Nick DiRubio.

Parish Priest Fr Tom Byrne told mourners:

"We are saddened by Martha's death and we gather to support you with our love and with our faith and our presence."