Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra: Fashion designer lived ‘a short but packed life’, funeral told

Sarah Slater

An Irish fashion designer who was found dead on board a boat in New York will be remembered for her “laughter and the memories made,” mourners at her funeral were told on Wednesday.

Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra (33), originally from Monacurragh, Co Carlow, was found unconscious on the boat at Montauk Yacht Club in Long Island on Tuesday, August 5th. A man she was onboard the boat with raised the alarm and two men on a nearby yacht performed CPR.

The business woman was later pronounced dead at the scene by emergency services a short time later.

A police investigation into her death is being carried out by US-based Suffolk County police detectives.

Hundreds of people gathered to pay their respects to the fashion entrepreneur who left Carlow almost 10 years ago.

The funeral took place at 10am in the Cathedral of the Assumption in Carlow town.

Symbols of Martha’s life were presented during the hour-long service which included her passport representing her love of travel and adventure, clothing from her luxury resort fashion brand East x East, and Martha’s prayer, which her mother Elma recites every Tuesday as her daughter was born on a Tuesday and died on a Tuesday.

Other symbols included a photo showing her beauty inside and out, Irish and American flags to recall the life she lived on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, and a tin whistle showing her love of music.

Martha’s sister Jacqui in her eulogy said: “Martha my beautiful sister. You taught me everything I needed to know in life. I didn’t always see you but I knew you were there. Growing up with you was like having a built in best friend from sharing secrets to late night talks. We've been through it all together.”

She described how “through thick and thin a sister’s love is consistent. We know each other's quirks, dreams and fears. The bond between us sisters is unique and unbreakable. Cheers to the laughter, the tears, the countless memories that were made. You will be in my heart forever Martha.”

Nick, Martha’s partner, added that she had “a special way” of lighting up every room she walked into.

“Whether it was her signature ‘hi’ or her famous hand gestures, one but couldn’t help to feel her positive presence in every space she entered. Martha had a way of people she loved first. She loved helping people and many of you have been lucky enough to experience that love,” he said.

“Whether it was telling you to ‘cop on’ to focus on the goodness in this life or just being a shoulder to lean on. The shining light that Martha brought into this world is a reflection of everybody in this room. Friends, family, loved ones, those past and present, we all have been lucky to have known Martha and we must live every day forward with her in our hearts.

Fr Thomas O’Byrne in his homily said Martha lived "a short life but a packed life."

Ms Nolan O’Slatarra is survived by her mother Elma, her father Seamus, her sister Jacqui, her younger siblings, her mother’s partner Patrick and her partner Nick.

A postmortem carried out on Martha's body by the Suffolk County Medical Examiner's Office showed there were no visible signs of injury. Authorities said the postmortem results were inconclusive and are awaiting further test results to decide the direction of their investigation.