Mrs. Margaret Nixon (Peggy) Elliott

Peggy was born on November 6, 1933, the youngest of seven children, to George and Lilian Henderson, Shanmullagh, Trillick. She was educated at Crossan Primary School, Trillick and then at Omagh Academy, something she was very proud of. She excelled at Home Economics and was a very keen hockey player. 

Growing up, Peggy attended Togherdoo Methodist Church and was honoured to be a seventh generation Methodist! She also attended the Junior and Young People’s Christian Endeavour, where she made many friends.

On completing her education, Peggy was accepted by the Royal Victoria Hospital to participate in a nursing training course, but due to her mother’s failing health, she remained on the home farm to care for her and assist her brother Wesley in the daily farm chores. Peggy enjoyed farm life and had a special interest in poultry, rearing hens, turkeys, geese and ducks.

On June 2, 1967, Peggy married Robert Elliott of Lisbofin House, Letterbreen, and so began a new chapter in her life. 

Peggy and Robert happily shared their home at Lisbofin with Robert’s parents and uncle. Robert and Peggy had five children, David (who sadly died when he was three days old), Florence, Herbert, Jayne and John. Together they ran a busy farm, where Peggy worked with great enthusiasm both inside and outside the house.

She was an extremely kind hearted and caring person and this was particularly evident in the way she cared for Robert’s mother, who was an invalid for the last seven years of her life.

Peggy loved cooking and baking, with everyone in the family and extended family enjoying many happy meals, where there was always more food than could be eaten! Her hospitality extended to clergy, missionaries and functions in Letterbreen Methodist church hall, contributing to meals and suppers at various events in the church calendar.

For Peggy, church life was very important. She was an active member of the Methodist Women’s Association. She thoroughly enjoyed every detail of the Association and through it made many life-long friends. 

Peggy’s life took a major turn in July 2003 when, following an operation to remove a cancerous tumour from her bowel, she suffered a severe stroke. She lost much of her mobility and also her ability to speak. Despite Peggy’s extreme change of circumstances, her family greatly admired the fact that she never became downhearted and approached her disabilities with great fortitude – something that was attributed to her deep Christian faith and belief that no matter what occurred in her life, God was in control.

At the end of May 2016, Peggy became unwell and was admitted to the stroke ward in the South West Acute Hospital, where she received exceptional care and attention. 
She slipped peacefully into the arms of her precious Lord and Saviour on June 13, 2016, surrounded by her immediate family. 

Peggy is survived by her loving husband Robert and children Florence, Herbert, Jayne and John, daughters-in-law Alexandra and Aga, sons-in-law Allister and Mark and 11 grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Alice McCracken (Newtownards). 

The funeral service took place on June 15, 2016 in Letterbreen Methodist Church and was conducted by the Rev. Stephen Woods. The hymns were ‘To God be the Glory’, ‘Love Divine’ and ‘When the Trumpet of the Lord shall sound’. 
Peggy was laid to rest in Mullaghdun Parish Churchyard. 

The funeral arrangements were made by W.T. Morrison, Darling Street, Enniskillen. Donations in memory of Peggy are going to the N. I. Stroke Association.