Fermanagh event to remember all who died throughout the pandemic

Saturday afternoon will see 220 beautiful hand-painted stones placed in the grounds of Enniskillen Castle from 2-4pm, with each stone representing a life lost during the pandemic, no matter the illness.

The stones pay tribute to individuals from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, England and the USA as well as other locations.

Some of the stones will be in memory of people from Fermanagh who died during the pandemic.

Two of the stones will remember the lives of a Lisbellaw couple – George and Violet Little – who died on December 16, 2020 and January 17, 2021 respectively.

Both contracted Covid-19 and died within weeks of each other.

READ MORE: Heartbreak as Fermanagh grandfather George laid to rest

Their daughter, Hazel Gray, spoke to The Impartial Reporter ahead of this weekend’s event in Enniskillen.

Hazel said: “These stones have been lovingly painted by Marie Gibson, a lady from Strabane who, like me, also lost her parents. Their first anniversary was this week.

“These stones are to commemorate anyone lost in the pandemic, but Memory Stones of Love is based on a lady called Rima from New Jersey, USA , who lost her brother, Rami.”

George has been remembered by a Ford tractor and the sleeve of the uniform of his beloved Ballyreagh Silver Band. Violet, a lover of animals, is remembered on her stone with a blue-tit bird and a set of knitting needles and a ball of wool.

A stone in memory of Violet Little, Lisbellaw

A stone in memory of George Little, Lisbellaw

The event stems from a Facebook support group for those grieving the loss of a loved one as a result of the coronavirus that was established by Ciaran Ward, brother of Marie, who lost both of his parents, Breege and Owen Ward, Strabane, and Brenda Doherty, who lost her mother, Ruth Burke, Newtownabbey, to the virus.

It is hoped that the stones could be used to form a permanent memorial for all the lives lost during the coronavirus pandemic.

Hazel would like to see the lives lost remembered permanently. She said: “I would like to see a central location where anyone can access it, and something on a local scale.

“Maybe a ‘forest of memories’, as has been suggested in England, or a plaque, or just something to recognise people.”

Hazel said: “The projects and the [social media] pages have been a source of comfort; we want to keep their memories alive.

“With being part of the group we can discuss [our experiences] between ourselves and people who understand.”

READ MORE: Devoted Fermanagh couple George and Violet Little pass away within weeks of each other

Losing a loved one during the pandemic has been stressful for many families, due to many traditional funeral proceedings being subject to restrictions with limited numbers allowed to attend, no wakes, and no touching when sympathising.

Hazel said: “I never had a handshake or a hug [outside Covid ‘bubbles’] following my parents’ funerals.”

Marie Gibson said: “Memory Stones of Love has allowed me to share so many personal stories from bereaved families.

“It may be just a rock to some, but when I see the pain on family members’ faces when they touch their stone or see the picture, it means so much more than we can imagine. For many families, it’s all they have in their grief during the pandemic.

“The Memory Stones of Love project began touring over the summer, and continues to travel around different locations in Northern Ireland so families can come along and visit them”.

If you or someone you know wish to have a memory stone painted in memory of a loved one, you can contact Memory Stones of Love on Facebook.