They were friends for more than 50 years but last Saturday morning that friendship between Nora Ward and Eileen Woods which meant so much to them came to an end.

Mrs. Ward, 71, who lived at Whaley Terrace died at South West Acute Hospital where she had worked as a domestic supervisor up until her retirement last year and later today (Thursday) she will be cremated in an intimate family service at a crematorium in County Cavan.

Joining her family will be Ms. Woods who adored her, describing her as “kind and good”.

“It would take a book to write all that she was to me. She was such a friend over the years and she was a wonderful. We knew each other for 50 years.

“I am so heartbroken about her; I get all right and then I break down again. You would never hear her talking bad of anyone, she always spoke well of everyone,” she said.

The pair were there for one another, particularly in times of ill health.

“I depended on her and she depended on me. She looked after me, she nursed me, and then I looked after her when she was unwell.

“It is a terrible loss; I can’t get over it,” she said.

Born in Galway in 1948, Mrs. Ward worked in her home city and then Dublin before settling in Enniskillen where her only son Mark was born in 1984, bringing her much joy.

Speaking from Galway, her sister Mary Conroy told this newspaper that she and the rest of her family were “devastated” by their unexpected loss.

“We are devastated. She was a real lady, she was kind and gentle and a great friend to everybody. She was a wonderful mother to Mark and grandmother to Charlotte, Spencer, Brandon and Ciara. She loved them all very much.

“The happiest day of her life was when Mark was born. He became her whole world and her life and she worked hard to bring him up and give him the best education she could. She was so happy and proud when her grandchildren came along,” she said.

Her second family were her colleagues at the Erne Hospital and then South West Acute Hospital where she worked as a cleaner and the “love and esteem” they had for her, according to Mrs. Conroy, was clear “by the huge guard of honour they provided her when she left South West Acute Hospital for the last time.”

“Nora had lots of friends but her lifelong friend was Eileen; they were so happy together. She cared for Eileen when she was ill and in return Eileen cared for her.

“There was Winnie and Davy too, and Kathleen, her next door neighbour. There were many chats and laught every Saturday night at Whaley Terrace,” she said.

Mrs. Conroy added: “Nora was a super sister to me and Brendan, the very best. She was such a lovely aunt to my children; Cliff, Adrian, Ronan, Michelle and Leanne. She was always there for me and we had some lovely times together but not enough.”

There will be a short, private service due to Covid-19 restrictions later today, facilitated by Marcus Madill at S. R. Elliott funeral directors, and Mrs. Ward will then be cremated. Her ashes will be scattered back in her home of Galway later in the year.