A much loved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth Margaret Florence Elder, fondly known as Lily, late of Irvinestown Road, Enniskillen, passed away peacefully at the Tilery Nursing Home on December 13, 2015, aged 93.
Formerly Gregg, she was a daughter of Thomas and Alice Gregg. Born in Florencecourt in 1922, the family moved to Enniskillen in 1927. She was one of four children, all of whom predeceased her. (Her sister Marjorie Allett passed away only 10 days before her.)
Lily was educated at the Model School, and from there she went to Enniskillen Technical College, where she did book-keeping.
She worked in the J.G. Ford garage on the Tempo Road, Enniskillen, until she got married to Alex Elder in Darling Street Methodist Church in 1947. Her father was the caretaker of the church and they lived underneath the church building.
Alex was an optician in Enniskillen and Lily helped with the business on a regular basis. They lived above the optician’s shop in East Bridge Street before moving to ‘Sunnybank’, Irvinestown Road, Enniskillen, in 1957.
The couple had six children: Ronnie, Marion, and two sets of twins - Gordon and Alison, and two years later Raymond and Fiona. Her home and family were major focuses for Lily. The family have many special memories of large family gatherings at Sunnybank, picnics, boat trips on Lough Erne, holidays to Donegal or touring in all parts of the British Isles.
A major interest for Lily was Darling Street Methodist Church, where she was a life long member. She was Girls’ Brigade Captain of the 1st NI Company (which was then based in the Presbyterian Church). In addition, she had been a Sunday School teacher and was a faithful attender of the Tuesday prayer meeting.
She actively supported many missionary societies and was a great supporter of missionary work in general. She held a special interest as local representative of the Leprosy Mission since 1937; it was an involvement which spanned over 70 years.
A keen cook, avid baker and jam maker, she enjoyed entertaining at her home. Other interests included knitting, gardening and letter writing and she loved to play games with her family and grandchildren. Her 14 grandchildren were much loved and each one was very special to her. In her later years, Lily was also blessed with eight great grandchildren.
Her funeral service at Darling Street Methodist Church was led by the Rev. Sam McGuffin. The hymns were Jesus, The Name High Over All (it was also sung at her husband Alex’s funeral); Thine Be The Glory and Blessed Assurance. 
Lily is survived by her six children, Ronnie, Marion, Gordon, Alison, Raymond and Fiona; 14 grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; nephews, nieces and the wider family circle. Predeceased by her husband, Alex, she was the last of her generation, having been predeceased by her sister Marjorie Allett on December 3, 2015, and by her brothers, Cecil and Alfie. 
The funeral arrangements were by S.R. Elliott and sons, Darling Street, Enniskillen.