Derek’s wife Ruth, son Christopher, parents Paddy and Rosie, brothers Barry and David, and sister Shirley, and all the extended Higgins family, wish to extend their sincerest thanks to all those who offered sympathy and support at the time of Derek’s sudden and untimely passing.

To those who were able to visit the house and attend the funeral and burial service in St Mary’s Church Ardee, and the many people who lined the route to the church on the day of Derek’s funeral, we thank you. Also, we would like to thank everyone who sent the most beautiful flowers for Derek, thoughtful cards, letters and online messages. Derek adored his garden and the flowers were much appreciated by everyone. For those of you who keep us in your thoughts and prayers we will be forever grateful.

We would like to extend very special thanks to the 'Beaulieu Babes' Five a Side soccer team who were playing with Derek at the time of his death and sought help and assistance for him. In particular, it is a great comfort to the family that his brother Barry was playing football with Derek, and was with him during his final moments. A special thanks also to the team in Accident and Emergency in the Lourdes Hospital who did all they could for Derek.

We would like to extend special thanks to Linda McCourt, Olive Rooney, Michelle Kieran, Margaret Meegan and Mark Kelly for all the practical assistance they gave to Ruth and Christopher.

The family also wish to thank Canon Joyce Moore, Reverend Iain Jamieson, Parish Reader David Murphy and Churchwarden Ronnie Kavanagh, for such a personal funeral service, allowing Derek to have his selected music played and his chosen poem read. They all knew Derek well and this was evident from his service.

Sincere thanks also goes to Dara Gillespie and everyone at Finlay’s Funeral Services for their professionalism, attention to detail and support.

On a personal note, Derek’s love of football, volleyball, and gardening was apparent to all who knew him. Thanks go to the Ardee Five a Side soccer team who played each Wednesday evening, the Volleyball team in Ardee parish centre, and Ardee Garden Club for giving him the opportunity to engage in activities he loved so much. Thanks also go to Everton Football Club for their written condolences and acknowledgements.

We would also like to thank his work colleagues in Louth Meath Mental Health Services for their support and kindness, especially Ciara Clarke.

As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, we trust this acknowledgement will be accepted by all as a token of our sincere appreciation.

We hope to have a memorial service for Derek when it is safe for us to do so.