There has been widespread sadness expressed following the death of Mrs. Ellen Maria Patrick, nee Armstrong on March 8, 2022..

A member of the Armstrong family from the Mill, Kilskeery, Ellen was the eldest in a family of 11, daughter of the late John and Minnie Armstrong. She was born on February 8, 1932 attending the local school and Kilskeery Parish Church.

After leaving school, Ellen went to work as a housekeeper for Mrs. West and Mrs. Thompson.

On February 1, 1951, her mother died leaving Ellen, at the very young age of 18, with the job of looking after her younger siblings which she did with love and affection.

It was on January 5, 1961 that Ellen married her husband Fred Patrick from Newtownstewart where they made their home at Milltown Road, Newtownstewart and where they farmed until her husband passed away.

On September 2, 1988, Ellen decided to move into the village of Newtownstewart and she went on to live at Mourne Park for 23 years until her health did not allow her to use the stairs. She later moved into Bessie Bell.

Ellen enjoyed being at Mourne Park where she was always busy gardening and baking for her local Presbyterian Church, she also liked to play bowls.

However, her main interest was her family; Irish, Maureen, Robert and William and all her grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as her siblings Tom, Sam and Ann and the late Sarah, Sheila, William, John, Charlie, Mildred and Laura.

A service of thanksgiving for the late Ellen was held in Newtownstewart Presbyterian Church on March 11, 2022 by the Rev. John Hanna.

The hymns were 'Amazing Grace' and 'What a friend we have in Jesus'.

Her grandson Garry Knox piped her in and out of the church, burial took place at Ardstraw New Cemetery. Money in lieu of flowers was to Cancer Research and Chest, Heart and Stroke.