The celebrations began in her home village on Friday evening, followed by festivities on Saturday afternoon in Drumclay Private Nursing Home, Enniskillen, where Mrs. McCabe has resided since Christmas.

    Birthday cards were still arriving at the start of this week and the centenarian, whose fresh appearance belies her years, also received four Telegrams. They arrived from Her Majesty the Queen, the President of Ireland, Mrs. Mary McAleese, the Bishop of Clogher, the Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Duffy, and the American Embassy.

    A native of Rosslea, Bessie, formerly Devlin, went to the United States when she was 23. She was based in Boston and spent almost 10 years there before returning to the county in 1932.

    Bessie married the late Frank McCabe, who predeceased her in the 1990s. They had three sons; Peter, Pat and the late Frank.

    Peter lives at the homeplace at Drumerheeve, Rosslea, and Pat and his wife, Bridie, live at Tattinbar, where Bessie also lived for a time.

    A grandmother of 10, her interests over the years included her home and family and she enjoyed knitting and baking.

    A remarkable figure, it seems that over the weekend people have been paying Bessie compliments on her looks and they have remarked on her fresh appearance.

    Quite a few people managed to catch up with her on her birthday and last Friday, the 100-year-old, whose sister, Bridget lives at Gortacharn Private Nursing Home, Lisnaskea, was delighted to return to Rosslea to mark her special milestone. Her arrival was greeted with a huge banner, erected across the street, which wished Bessie a happy birthday.

    A Concelebrated Mass was led by Canon McCluskey and the Rev. Fr. Meehan and there was a birthday party at Rosslea Community Centre, organised by her family. Supper and a birthday cake were served during the special gathering, attended by over 200 people.

    Bessie appeared to enjoy the happy event, which preceded a second party on Saturday afternoon.

    On this occasion, students from Mount Lourdes Grammar School, Enniskillen, gave a display of Irish dancing and a man played the accordion.

    Residents were in attendance and Bessie’s second cake was served.

    Among those to call on Saturday and extend good wishes was the Rev. Fr. Marron.

    There have been many wellwishers and so far, the Rosslea woman has received several hundred cards, flowers and gifts.