Cork mother Paula Canty remembered for her 'kind heart' and 'good nature' at funeral mass 

Mourners attending the funeral of Paula Canty, whose body was discovered in a Mallow apartment last week, heard the slain woman had "a kind heart" and a "good nature" during the sermon of the priest at the Mass.

Fr Robert Young told the mourners led by her mother Sinead Canty and her daughters, Alyisha and Aoibhe, and also including her siblings, Darragh, Donna, Latoya, David and Rianna, that he sensed the family’s grief at the loss of Ms Canty.

“The grief of a parent to lose a son or a daughter is a particular kind of grief, it is not the natural scheme of things,” said Fr Young. 

“It is certainly not the natural scheme of things that a parent should have to experience the murder of a son or a daughter.

“It is heartbreaking to think about it, to see you carrying your pain.” 

He told mourners in St John the Baptist’s Church in Kinsale that Paula Canty was "artistic", "kind hearted" and possessed a "good nature".

“Paula had her struggles, she had her difficulties,” he said.

“She had a good nature as has been shown in the symbols,” he said. “She was very artistic.” 

He acknowledged the sadness and the heartbreak that resulted from Paula’s death. 

“It is awful but our prayer is that Paula may now rest in peace.” 

At the beginning of the funeral Mass, a number of symbols were laid at the altar by family members to represent Paula’s life. 

These included a family picture recalling Paula’s "many happy childhood years in the company of her mother, Sinead, her grandmother Clare and grandfather Ray" at their farm in Minane Bridge. 

A bunch of flowers was also laid at the alter to represent Paula’s "great work as an aspiring florist when she worked in a flower shop in Kinsale in the past, adding her dainty touches to each floral arrangement she perfected".

Other symbols of Paula’s life brought to the altar included a tracksuit to represent her love of designer sports clothing which she borrowed from her many friends. 

Mourners were told that Paula formed friends easily due to her "soft, pleasant nature". 

Additionally, a painting, exemplifying Paula’s artistic skills was brought up.

Ms Canty’s "artistry with makeup" was recognised in a makeup set brought to the altar by her daughters Aoibhe and Alyisha while a cookbook representing Paula’s love of cooking was also brought up, reminding mourners that she found solace in the kitchen "turning simple ingredients into meals that warmed hearts and nourished souls". 

Ms Canty was laid to rest after the funeral Mass at St Patrick’s Cemetery in Nohoval.