AN Irvinestown woman who passed away at 101 has been remembered as a “loving and caring mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and mother-in-law”.

Frances Elizabeth Johnston (née Lloyd) passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, at her home on Pound Street, Irvinestown, on November 1.

She was laid to rest in Sydare Cemetery following a funeral service at Irvinestown Independent Methodist Church.

Mrs. Johnston’s son, Harold, described his mum as a “loving” and “determined” woman.

“Mum was a loving and caring mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and mother-in-law,” Mr. Johnston said. “She was born Elizabeth Frances Lloyd, in Mohill Co. Leitrim on June 7, 1923. She was one of a family of seven.

“In her late teens, she went to Belfast, then to Lurgan, and finally joined her brother on his farm near Keenogue in Trillick. It was during the latter period that she met William, the love of her life.

“They married on December 5, 1954, and lived on home farm at Cabra, Irvinestown.”

The couple would go on to have a family of three: Harold (Evelyn), Carolyn (Robert), and Sheila (Trevor).

“Mum was a loving mother to us growing up,” Mr. Johnston continued. “We never wanted for anything, and we were taught right from wrong. I remember the Sally rod on the kitchen mantlepiece - thankfully it got little use! It was a happy home.

“She was a great example of a Christian to her family. She loved her Lord, reading her Bible daily, and attending church on Sundays with dad, and with each of us in tow!”

Mr. Johnston added that his late mum also adored farming, gardening, and baking.

“Mum loved life on the farm and frequently talked about those times,” he recounted. “It was a great life, she said. On the farm, she reared chickens for eggs and meat, and turkeys for Christmas, while Dad managed the mixed farm activities of dairy, beef, and small arable.

“Mum really enjoyed gardening and growing fruit and vegetables, flowers, and shrubs. She baked bread, cakes, and made jam and chutney.”

Indeed, Mrs. Johnston’s caring nature was clear when her husband suffered a heart attack.

He explained: “When dad suffered a heart attack, mum showed her caring nature by looking after him while keeping the farm running with the help of others. Eventually, the time came when Mum and Dad decided to sell the livestock and rent out the land.

“Then the time came when they sold the farm and found a suitable home in Irvinestown, so as to ensure that Mum wouldn’t have to deal with such matters in the future. They settled at 43 Pound Street, Irvinestown, around 30 years ago, convenient to facilities and where mum could continue her gardening interests.”

Naturally, when William passed away in 2008, Mrs. Johnston missed him profoundly.

“Dad passed away in 2008, and mum naturally missed him so much, and frequently spoke of looking forward to meeting him again,” he said. “Mum was an independent lady until a fall in July 2020 at the age of 97, but she remained determined to lead as normal a life as possible.

“She continued to crochet small blankets for mission work, which the late Mrs. Cross would sell at her annual Christmas sale.”

Mr. Johnston said that his late mum loved her family above all else.

“It was with delight that she would welcome her grandchildren to her home, and later her great-grandchildren. She followed her grandchildren's lives with much interest.”

He concluded: “We, as a family, grieve, but most importantly, we have the hope that she is at home at last, reunited with those who have gone before us, especially her beloved husband William, our dad, and her Saviour whom she loved.”

Mrs. Johnston was a dearly loved mother of Harold (Evelyn), Carolyn (Robert), and Sheila (Trevor); a much-loved grandmother of Jenny (Kent), Peter (Victoria), Claire (Matthew), Anna (Gareth); and a great-grandmother of Alexandra and Charlie.