Joint funeral held for couple found dead in jacuzzi

The joint funeral of couple who were found dead in a hot tub whilst on holiday in Spain last month, has heard that their two children "were at the heart of their lives".

Monaghan native Thomasina Tobin, 51, and her husband Patrick (Paddy) Tobin , 48, were pronounced dead at a villa in the town of Cullera, south of Valencia on 24 August.

Their deaths were accidental in nature.

Ms Tobin was from Cabra in Castleblayney, while Mr Tobin was born in Wellington in New Zealand.

The couple were based in Greenwich, London and had teenage children Rhea and Séamus.

Rev Canon Patrick McGinn told mourners at Our Lady of Knock Church in Ballintra in Co Monaghan that Mr Tobin was a "devoted father" and described Ms Tobin as a "loving and lovely Mum."

"They created a lovely home together in Greenwich. Their children were the most important part of their lives."

He said that Ms Tobin was a "very kind person".

"She knew the people who had helped her along the way, and she passed this kindness on to other people. In her spare time, she was even governor of a school," he said.

He said Mr Tobin was "always on the go" from the time he started walking at just nine months old.

"He loved sport growing up. He tried everything. Rugby, hockey, cricket, water polo, football, skiing and surfing. I get tired even mentioning all those things," he said.

He said: "Patrick and Thomasina built a wonderful life in Greenwich with Rhea and Seamus. Those children were the absolute centre of his life."

"Paddy and Thomasina welcomed everybody into their home on family visits. They were so generous in every way."

He said that it was hard to know what to say to the families of the deceased.

"All we can do is huddle and grieve around the remains of shattered dreams and what might have been."

He added that "we do have many questions, but we don't really have many answers as to the whys of life".

Offertory gifts included a family photograph, a photograph of Patrick skiing with his friends representing his love of sport and friendship, a sacred New Zealand greenstone which embodies strength, spirit and a connection between people and the land, a hard hat which Ms Tobin wore on construction sites in London and quirky cards which she liked to send to her loved ones.

John McArdle, the brother of the late Ms Tobin, thanked the local community and clergy for their support.

He also expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the Kevin Bell Trust, which he said helped the family.

Ms Tobin was a Director of Cost Management and Head of Hotels at Turner and Townsend Alinea in London.

A graduate of Trinity College Dublin, she worked in the construction industry for almost 30 years.

In a recent post on Linkedin yesterday, T& T Alinea said she played an integral role in their business, serving as a director in their London cost management team and leading their hotels sector.

"Warm, fun and full of life, Thomasina brought an infectious energy wherever she went," it said.

A private cremation service followed the 11am Mass today.