“Home to Rest” – Tragic Honeymoon Couple Laid To Rest In The Church Where They Wed

Family and friends of tragic newleyweds John and Lynette Rodgers have laid the couple to rest this week.  Hundreds gathered for the joint service which took place at First Holywood Presbyterian Church, the same church where the couple married just three weeks ago. John and Lynette on their wedding day.  The Co. Down couple, who tragically drowned while on honeymoon in South Africa, just six days after their wedding, were described as bright flames extinguished too soon. According to the Irish Mirror, Bill Mawhinney, a friend of the couple, read an emotional tribute which had been co-written by John's sisters Gwen and Kathryn as well as Lynette's brother Graham. He said: "The tragic events in South Africa have extinguished their bright flame too soon but we will never forget our daughter, son, sister, brother or friend. "We set out to write a tribute, but there are no words to immortalise John and Lynette. The pair tragically drowned while swimming in Plettenberg Bay.  "So share your stories, shed your tears, make their memories everyone's and remember what a beautiful couple they were and always will be over the rainbow. "The families would like to thank everyone involved in bringing their loved ones home to rest, we are eternally grateful in the manner and speed in which affairs have been handled." The pair wed at the church in Holywood on October 17th and Lynette took to Facebook on the following Monday just before jetting off on honeymoon. She wrote: "John and myself would like to thank to everyone that joined us on Saturday and for all the well wishes! "We greatly appreciate it and had the best day ever. Heading off today so will speak to everyone when we return! Xx". The family released a joint statement when the news broke. They said: "It has come as a great shock to both the Reilly and Rodgers families to learn of the sudden and tragic events in South Africa, which has taken the lives of Lynette and John. "Our happiness in sharing their recent wedding has been thoroughly devastated. Both were very dearly loved and brought us great joy."