Uncertain date
John Stapleton
THE Anglican church in Moree was filled to overflowing yesterday for the funerals of the Corcoran family, killed in a horror smash on the Kamilaroi Highway which wiped out three generations.
THE Anglican church in Moree was filled to overflowing yesterday for the funerals of the Corcoran family, killed in a horror smash on the Kamilaroi Highway which wiped out three generations.
Aboriginal matriarch, great grandmother 70-year-old Heather Corcoran, along with her two daughers Lorraine and Donna, were fairwelled with tributes to the family's dedication to each other.
Ms Corcoran's granddaughter Melieta and her granddaughter's husband Brendan Jacobs, killed in the same smash, were buried in Sydney last Friday. Their two young children, Ms Corcoran's much loved great grandchildren have been left without a mother or father.
The five were killed before Christmas when their vehicle tried to overtake another car on the infamous Kamilaroi Highway and slammed straight into an oncoming truck. Both vehicles burst into flames. A senior police officer and ambulance officer both described it as the worst crash he had ever seen.
The Corcorans were well known in Moree, where they had a large extended family. Heather Corcoran had worked as a nurse at the local hospital for more than 20 years while her daughter Lorraine had also worked as an administrator at a local poultry company for many years. Moree Shire mayor Mike Montgomery and state MP Ken Humphries both attended.
An appeal conducted through the local council raised thousands of dollars to cover the costs of the multiple funerals.
Reverend Brian Kirk from the Moree Anglican Church, who conducted the funeral, said Ms Corcoran had spent much of her life in Moree but had moved to Sydney a year ago to be close to her daughters. They regularly returned to Moree for various events, and on this occasion had been up to hold a stall at the local markets.
Reverend Brian Kirk from the Moree Anglican Church, who conducted the funeral, said Ms Corcoran had spent much of her life in Moree but had moved to Sydney a year ago to be close to her daughters. They regularly returned to Moree for various events, and on this occasion had been up to hold a stall at the local markets.
He told the assembled mourners that many of them had fond memories of Heather, Donna and Lorraine. He said family had been all important to the Corcorans, who found acceptance, understanding, fellowship, laughter and love within their own homes. The accident highlighted how important it was to share our short time on earth with those we loved.
``The death of three generations in one accident was sudden, tragic and unexpected,'' he said. ``No one thought two weeks ago they would be here today. From a human perspective the accident was an accident.
``From God's point of view it was and is a part of his plan for you and even for me.
``God reassures that we don't have to face death alone,'' he said. ``He has given us family and friends to assist us through times like this. Just as much as Heather and Donna and Lorraine valued the suport of family and friends, we need to value the support of family and friends as well. The shortness of our lives ought to value the time and relationships we share on earth.''
``God reassures that we don't have to face death alone,'' he said. ``He has given us family and friends to assist us through times like this. Just as much as Heather and Donna and Lorraine valued the suport of family and friends, we need to value the support of family and friends as well. The shortness of our lives ought to value the time and relationships we share on earth.''
Eulogies were delivered by members of the Corcoran's extended family Claude and Michael Magarry and Richard Ping Lee.
The funeral finished with the playing of a DVD of family photographs.
The funeral finished with the playing of a DVD of family photographs.
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