The dark, grey rainclouds that hung heavily over Enniskillen on Wednesday afternoon were reflective of the sadness felt across the Fermanagh community as Hazel Johnston – the late much-loved businesswoman, "the queen of Darling Street" – made her final journey.

Hazel (64), late of Loughshore Road, Enniskillen, passed away peacefully at her home on February 14.

Shoulder to shoulder, hundreds of mourners lined the streets to pay their final respects as the funeral cortège travelled through the town.

The heavy clouds gave way to a bright blue sky just as Hazel's coffin, adorned with beautiful cream flowers, was carried down Darling Street towards The Jolly Sandwich Bar, with her husband Cyril and son Ryan carrying at the front, and daughter Carina walking close behind with other family members.

 

Family members and mourners of the late Hazel Johnston accompany her remains through the centre of Enniskillen. Photo: John McVitty.

Family members and mourners of the late Hazel Johnston accompany her remains through the centre of Enniskillen. Photo: John McVitty.

 

Staff of The Jolly Sandwich followed the family as they walked down the street.

Silence fell over the town as the cortège stopped outside Hazel's beloved café, a place where many of those who now stood out to say a final farewell had been greeted warmly over the years with kindness and good food by an endearing host, who was highly-regarded for her thoughtfulness.

"The queen of Darling Street" is how one mourner fondly referred to Hazel, while another talked of her abundant generosity, how she always gifted him traybakes for his staff as he left her premises of a morning.

Calling Hazel his closest neighbour, not only due to the close proximity of The Jolly Sandwich to St. Macartin's Cathedral and the Deanery, but also her warm neighbourly nature, Dean Kenneth Hall also paid tribute.

He said: "Hazel was a very highly respected member of the community. She was always welcoming; a kind and generous person, and she will be sadly missed.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the whole family."

 

Hazel Johnston, Jollysandwich.

Hazel Johnston, Jollysandwich.

 

A popular figure throughout Enniskillen and beyond, Hazel made a powerful impression on her customers, many of whom visited her café daily.

"It was a wonderful way to start the day, with her," said loyal customer and friend, Maeve Ferguson, speaking of the mornings she spent with Hazel in The Jolly Sandwich, where Hazel's "kind, generous and thoughtful" personality shone.

"She was always stylish, and such fun to be with. She had a real twinkle in her eye," added Maeve, noting that her family also adored Hazel, and everyone that she brought to the café.

"Apart from that faultless food and hospitality, all my kids commented on what a savvy woman she was, how she was kind and generous, and never forgot anyone.

"She was just an amazing person. Just any time anything was happening in anybody's life, she was just there with her generosity; with sandwiches, traybakes – she remembered everybody; she was just incredible," Maeve told this newspaper.

Hazel's funeral was arranged by W. T. Morrison Funeral Directors. The funeral service took place at her home on Wednesday, February 16, followed by burial in Devenish Parish Churchyard, Monea.

The funeral cortège travelled from the family home to Darling Street, pausing at The Jolly Sandwich, where both sides of the streets were lined with mourners, paying their final respects to the much-loved businesswoman.

Beloved wife of Cyril, dearly loved mother of Ryan (Martina) and Carina (John), a much loved grandmother of Hugo, Josh, Louie and Ruby, a devoted daughter of Evelyn and the late Robert, and sister of Sylvia (the late Wilbert) and Keith (Pamela), Hazel is lovingly remembered by her family and the family circle.