Obituary: Mrs. Florence Graham

Her family also has been paying tribute to her for her energetic, hardworking and inspiring life.

Florence, who passed away on November 18, was born in 1928 in the townland of Kilcoo, near Garrison. She was the seventh of a family of eight children born to Lucinda and Willie John Carson. She grew up on the family farm, helping with all the tasks of farm and home upkeep.

Florence went to Knocknashangan School and had high regard for her teacher, Mrs Hamilton who very capably taught the mixed age children all in one schoolroom. Florence often fondly recounted many episodes of fun and innocent mischief at school and throughout childhood.

Her family had a 'wireless', but ceilidhs with neighbours were the most popular entertainment - lively evenings of story telling, music and dance. A visitor with a fiddle or tin whistle was always a very welcome guest, and on festive occasions the Mummers might turn up, adding to the joviality.

In later life Florence would often still tap dance round the kitchen to the Harvest Home hornpipe, whistling the tune herself.

Growing up, she went with her brothers and sisters to meet friends and dance at the nearby crossroads, making their own music and having great craic. In her late teenage years, she thought nothing of cycling with her older sister Minnie to dances in Enniskillen, a round trip of over 40 miles.

After leaving school, Florence followed her sister Minnie to work for Archdeacon Pratt at Lisgoole Abbey. At the end of WWII, she went to work for the Pratt’s son in Hull, where she helped document captured German submarines.

After the War she worked as the manicurist in Taylor Woods factory in Enniskillen, filing the workers' finger nails so that they didn't snag the nylons. This is where she met Basil, her husband, whom she married in March 1953. Their first home was the gate lodge near Cross Cemetery. As the family grew, they moved into Mill Street, and then Fortlea (84 Forthill Street) where they lived for over thirty years.

Florence gave up work when the first baby, John, arrived and was at home for all five children in their early years. Once all of the children were attending school, Florence worked as a school playground supervisor. It was heartwarming for the family that the funeral director, Austen Stinson, who so carefully handled her burial, remembered her well in that role.

Later, Florence ran a cafe for many years in the County Buildings for the civil servants who worked in the government departments there. Wherever she worked, she made numerous friends, knew their trials and tribulations and took an interest in the many people she enjoyed meeting from all walks of life.

Florence enjoyed knitting and sewing, kitting out the children in fine style when they were young.

Often, after a late night’s sewing, there appeared gorgeous garments for special occasions for her daughter, Vera. Her creativity continued in providing for the grandchildren, with intricate lace baby blankets for all of them being especially treasured.

Florence was also a keen gardener, with an abundance of flowers and foliage in every corner of the garden. Each year she had a stall with house plants, homemade produce and handiwork at the annual Cathedral Hall sale. She was a long time member of the Mother’s Union and regularly helped out at parish events.

Florence enjoyed annual holidays in the caravan in Rossnowlagh when the children were at home, and, later, travelling to visit family and friends in England, Germany and Canada. Her grandchildren have fond memories of well organised picnics, enjoying her many treats of home baking.

Florence loved entertaining and there were regular festive feasts for extended family, friends and unexpected visitors. She was renowned for pulling together a feast at the drop of a hat.

After retirement, Florence held numerous voluntary roles including working in charity shops and for the St John's ambulance service - providing manicures and hand massage for elderly patients in hospital or Care homes. She continued with her hobbies and added more, such as furniture restoration and reupholstery, always completing very detailed handiwork.

After the family moved away from Enniskillen, she and Basil had a Granny annexe built on to the home of their youngest son, Nigel, at Tartaraghan, Portadown. There they spent many happy years enjoying their grandchildren until advanced illness necessitated nursing care for Florence at Lisnisky Care Home. Basil and the family are heartened that Florence’s funeral service was held back in St Macartin’s Cathedral, conducted by the Very Reverend Kenneth Hall, Dean of Clogher, and that so many relatives and friends, who could not attend due to the Covid restrictions, stood at various points along the route of the funeral procession.

Florence is survived by her husband Basil and five children: John, Vera, Edwin, David and Nigel, her 12 grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.