Family heartbroken as young bride passes away on Christmas day

Caroline Niblock, 25, died in the early hours of Christmas morning at the home she and her husband of five months Alan shared in Rockcorry, County Monaghan, where Alan's family live.

The couple had been eagerly looking forward to Caroline's parents, Helen and Ronnie Coulter, coming to visit to celebrate Ronnie's birthday on the Sunday.

Instead of celebrations, preparations were made for Caroline's funeral service at First Ballybay Presbyterian on Co. Monaghan on December 28

Caroline and Alan were married on July 10 last year in Moira Baptist Church and Pastor Richard Garnham took part in Caroline's funeral service at First Ballybay with the local minister, Rev William Buchanan.

Caroline's father Ronnie paid a moving tribute and her younger brother William read a poem which he had composed. Over a thousand mourners attended the service with the church packed to capacity and many people standing outside.

The news of Caroline's death has shocked the community around Ballyknock Road, Hillsborough where the Coulter family live.

Caroline attended both St John's Primary, Hillsborough and Donaghcloney Primary School. She finished her education as a pupil of Dromore High School and went to work as a Nursery assistant at First Steps Nursery, Lisburn. While working she took night classes at Lisburn College of Higher and Further Education and was awarded with both a certificate of Early Childhood Studies and a cache Diploma in Early Childhood Studies.

Her mother Helen explained that Caroline oved working with children saying: "God give her a very special gift, and that was the way she could communicate with the children. She loved her work, working in the nursery."

Paying tribute to her daughter Mrs Coulter said Caroline had always made the most of life.

She said: "James, her older brother, says he could not have had a better sister, she made such an impact on people she met, but never as much as her two brothers.

"25 years is such a short time to be on this earth, but Caroline made the most of it. She was diagnosed with epilepsy at 9 months, and grew up never complaining of her condition. She would say to me, 'Mum there are others worse than me'.

"She enjoyed life and although she was not perfect by any means, it was a pleasure to watch her blossom into the beautiful young Christian woman. She give her life to the Lord when she was five years and continued to grow stronger in her faith."

Mrs Coulter added: "We are heartbroken and I miss my daughter and friend, but we know that someday we will see her again in our Heavenly home."

Caroline was laid to rest in the adjoining burial ground and family flowers were placed on her grave.

Donations in lieu of flowers are being sent to The Cystic Fibrosis Unit at Belfast City Hospital and cheques made out out to Cystic Fibrosis Unit (BCH), can be sent to her parents' address, 20 Ballyknock Road, Hillsborough, Co Down, BT26 6EF. This was a cause close to Caroline's heart as she has two cousins who suffer from the disease.