| Mary was due to celebrate her birthday this Sunday, but instead of what should have been a family celebration, her mother Margaret McIntosh today confirmed they will lay floral tributes in remembrance of Mary.
Five days after Mary’s body was found in a fir copse to the north of Ladywell roundabout, Margaret told the Tele how the family are struggling to come to terms with the death.
“I just feel lost,” she said.
“It feels so weird because every day she would come up to my house and put the kettle on.
“Last year I lost one of my toes from a grasscutter and Mary and her sister Michelle always came up to help me.
“Deep down inside I feel our hearts have been taken out. I feel her presence around me though.”
The family are now waiting to be informed by police of the latest developments in the inquiry and police liaison officers have stayed with them throughout.
She added, “I just can’t believe that she’s gone. It’s just eating up inside me now.
“I can barely stand up, but the doctor told me I have to eat.
“Michelle’s never going out clubbing again or drinking.”
In an emotional message on a social networking site, Lisa Hendry has also said she cannot say goodbye to her sister.
“It hurts so much knowing I have to,” she admits.
Lisa has thanked the public for their help in the case and everyone who has left heartfelt tributes on a page on Bebo, set up to remember her.
“I would like to thank all the public and friends for their help trying to find Mary,” she said.
“Mary, we all love you big sis and may you rest in peace.
“I don’t want to say goodbye. I can’t. It hurts so much knowing I have to.
“I may be able to wipe my tears but our heartaches will stay.
“Mary I promise to look after everyone for you.
“Mary if tears could build a stairway and memory’s a lane I would run up to heaven to bring you home again.”
Lisa said Mary had always made the family proud.
“Mary you will always be in our hearts babe and never forgotten.
“Love you always our angel.”
— As the family waited for further information today, floral tributes at the scene continued to grow.
Visiting the scene Gemma Blake, a family friend, said, “I don’t think they are coping that well, but they’re just trying to get on with it.
“We’re going to come back and leave our own flowers.
“It’s really important for us to come and pay our respects at the scene because I know her nieces and friends of the family.”
Stacey Benson added, “I never actually knew her but I just came up here to pay my respects especially so close to Mother’s Day.” |
