Young Leona Harper "shone brightly" throughout her short life and "sparkled with energy and fun", her funeral mass has heard.
And a priest told how the 14-year-old, who lost her life in the Creeslough tragedy last Friday, was her parents Hugh and Donna's "little miracle".
Leona, who was heading to a sleepover, along with her pal were choosing what ice cream to get from a fridge in the Applegreen filling station in the Donegal village when the explosion happened.
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Her body was the final one of the ten victims to be recovered from the rubble 24 hours later.
At the funeral mass today in St Mary's Church, Ramelton - half an hour away from the blast scene - the cortege arrived from Leona's home in Letterkenny followed by a tractor, which represented her "appreciation for farming and agriculture".
The hearse turned into the driveway of the church which was flanked by her school pals at Mulroy College and her teammates in Letterkenny rugby club.
Mum Donna took the framed picture of her precious child out of the back of the hearse and held it while the coffin was carried in.
Addressing mourners, Fr Michael Carney told how following the birth of her eldest son Anthony, 22, Donna was told that she would not be able to have another child.
But Leona followed some years later as did her younger brother Jamie, 13.
Fr Carney said: "Hugh and Donna talk of their daughter as their little miracle - and therein lies a story.
"When Anthony was born, Donna was told that there was no prospect of her conceiving another child.
"But seven years later something unexpected happened: Leona arrived – hence the little miracle. You, her Mum and Dad, talk of your daughter as a gem. It is often a line and a term we use about someone we love.
"But given how unexpected and welcome Leona was to you in your life, your little daughter was indeed a precious gem.
"Gems shine, gems sparkle and gems attract us. Leona shone brightly and beautifully throughout her short life, sparkled with energy and fun and attracted so many friends to her circle."
St Mary's Church is where Leona was baptised in February 2008, and later made her communion and confirmation there.
Fr Carney told the congregation that Leona "lived life to the full" and "left her imprint and contributed to the lives of those she loved, lived and laughed with."
The priest told how Leona's brothers were special to her, with eldest Anthony being the "protective" one and that she knocked "great craic" out of her younger sibling Jamie.
With her parents, she was no trouble and always helpful.
But Fr Carney said: "Like any teenager her relationship with you was changing and moving to a different level.
"There was the hint of a little more assertiveness in her. While secrets were shared with mum, she rationed replies to her Dad’s questions with one liner, one word replies."
The funeral mass heard how Leona was into her music, dance and was developing an eye for hair and fashion.
But she also loved the outdoors, fishing and hunting with proud dad Hugh.
Fr Carney added: "A love of animals developed into an appreciation for farming and agriculture – and a passion for tractors.
"She was beginning to figure in her rugby club as a gifted player. And like many girls the exploits and success of Kelly Harrington and Katie Taylor had sparked an interest in boxing. And Liverpool was her team."
At Mulroy College in Milford, where she started two years ago, she "radiated joy, love and kindness" before the priest told her school pals to look after and care for each other.
He said: "However, Leona was no shrinking violet. She was feisty and with a lovely level of independence.
"She could speak her mind and speak for others in that gentle but insistent way that got the attention of the grown ups.
"She stood up for those who could not stand up for themselves. She had maturity beyond her years and a deeply caring way.
"Leona was a hard worker and diligent in everything she did. She pushed herself to succeed."
In her Junior Cert year, Leona had been considering becoming a teacher.
Fr Carney said: "Leona may have lived a little life but she lived a very full life. Its brevity will make her contribution to her family, to her friends and her schools all the more radiant and bright. She brought her own unique qualities to the lives of those she loved, lived and laughed with. She has left a lasting impression of vitality, optimism and endeavour."
At the end of mass, Fr Carney was asked by the family to thank everyone for their messages over the past week and those who were involved in the rescue operation.
But on behalf of mum Donna, Fr Carney hailed the digger driver at the scene who she knew personally and refused to stop working until they got Leona.
Following the mass, heartbroken parents Donna and Hugh embraced as they followed the coffin out of the church grounds.
Their sons Anthony and Jamie, along with Leona's granny Mary.
Her remains were brought to Termon graveyard for burial.
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