Singer Daniel O'Donnell delighted family and friends of an Antrim grandmother as they gathered to mark the second anniversary of her passing this weekend by performing an impromptu concert.
Jacqueline (Jackie) Ward died on March 28 2020 at the age of 62 following a short battle with ovarian cancer.
Her passing came just days after Northern Ireland entered lockdown at the start of the pandemic.
Read more: NI man's tribute to devoted wife who died after brain tumour diagnosis
It meant that her family - including husband Gerry and three children Lisa, Ricky and Barry - were unable to have a funeral mass and a wake due to the very strict restrictions in place at the time.
But two years on, Jackie finally got her request of a good send off with the help of the famous Donegal crooner.
Daniel, who is a friend of Jackie’s family, sang at her memorial mass at St Joesph’ Chapel in Antrim on Saturday evening.
And having flown in from Tenerife especially for the occasion, he didn't stop there. Later at a celebration of her life, held in Rococo Wine Bar in the town, Daniel sang for a further two hours!
Jackie was originally from Waterford and one of her sisters, Loretta, worked as Daniel's PA for many years until she retired.
Family friend Adrian Bell told Belfast Live : "Daniel sang a few hymns in the chapel earlier that evening and while he was sitting having a bite to eat afterwards, he was coaxed up to sing.
"Someone had already said that once he got up there, he wouldn't stop and that's exactly what happened. He stayed up there for two hours and really had the crowd going singing many of his greatest hits - it was just brilliant.
"As someone who wasn't a massive fan before he's now a legend in my view for doing that for Jackie's family!"
Adrian added: "It was just so fitting as Jackie was always the life and soul of the party and had travelled the world. Her funeral two years ago was one of the first in lockdown. Her remains were taken straight from the home to the cemetery and the gravediggers were in hazmat suits.
"So it was pretty emotional in the chapel on Saturday as we had the chance to say goodbye to her properly and Daniel’s impromptu performance afterwards made it the perfect evening.."
Read more: Co Antrim girl diagnosed with brain tumour after falling down stairs
Read more: Portadown grandmother opens up on her five year battle with ovarian cancer
For the latest breaking news straight to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter here.
