Published: Thursday, 17th December, 2009 9:00am

Miss Janet O'Neill

by Editorial Department

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Miss Janet O'Neill

Janet O'Neill, who has died at the age of 52, was the elder daughter of the Rev. Nevil O'Neill and his wife Maud.

Janet grew up in the Rectory at Newtownbutler, attending the local primary school and later was a pupil at the Collegiate Grammar School in Enniskillen.

Following A Levels, she went to Queen's University to read Library and Information Studies, a natural choice for such an avid reader.

On completing her degree, she held various posts in libraries in Belfast and Dundonald. During this time she decided to visit China which was only just beginning to open up to tourism at that time.

The adventurous choice of holiday was to spark a life-long love of travel. It was this love of travel that prompted her decision to apply for Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) shortly after her return. She was posted to the Solomon Islands with the responsibility of developing satellite libraries in the outlying islands of this group, a job which involved island hopping in small boats, often on rough seas. She looked back on her time spent in the Solomons fondly and made friends there she kept through the rest of her life.

On completing her three year period of service with VSO, Janet decided to study for her master's degree. She became a post-graduate student at Loughborough University and was awarded her MA in 1985.

She followed this with a period of time working in Lewes on the south coast of England but was never truly content there so when she saw a job advertised in what is now South West College in Enniskillen, she applied and was successful. She worked for the College until her final illness.

Janet settled back into life in Enniskillen, becoming an active member of Enniskillen Soroptimists, the Girl Guides Association and St. Macartin's Cathedral congregation. She undertook new challenges, studying Maths and Italian. She enjoyed long walks on the beach at Rossnowlagh. She bought a holiday home near the beach where she loved to entertain visitors (including her two nephews, whom she loved to spoil). She also kept up her travels with holidays to Europe as well as a long trip to Vietnam.

In July 2008, Janet was diagnosed with a brain tumour. After extensive treatment, she was able to return home for some months until her nursing needs became too great and she moved into the County Care Home in July. She died there on September 20 in the company of family and friends.

Janet is survived by her mother Maud, her sister Caroline, her brother-in-law Matthew and her nephews Sam and Alexander.