Published: Thursday, 28th January, 2010 10:06am

Mr. Thomas James Morrow and Mrs. Mabel Elizabeth Morrow

by Editorial Department

Print | Email

The deaths of Mr. Thomas James Morrow (Jimmy) and his wife Mrs. Mabel Elizabeth Morrow have evoked great sadness among their family, friends and the Lisnaskea community. Both Jimmy and Mabel were diagnosed with cancer during 2009 and after a relatively short period they succumbed to their illnesses within a time frame of less than three weeks from each other.

Mabel Elizabeth died on December 13, 2009 at the family home, Kilronan, Lisnaskea. She was born on July 5, 1942, the eldest of nine children of the late Frank and Isabella Johnston, Drumrainduff, Newtownbutler. She was predeceased by her parents, brother Francis and sister Sylvia.

She received her early education at the old Primary School, Newtownbutler and then went to the Enniskillen Technical School where she studied catering. She then took up employment as a cook at the current primary school, Newtownbutler.

After getting married to Jimmy she worked with him in running their dairy farm at Kilronan. They were blessed with six children, Vera, Arlene, Trevor, twins Alan and Yvonne and Georgina. Mabel followed in the family tradition with a lifelong passion for horse breeding and showing horses throughout Ireland. She regularly participated at horse shows and horse sales. She was an active member of Lisnaskea Mothers' Union and the Women's Institute.

Thomas James (Jimmy) died on January 2, 2010 at the Erne Hospital, Enniskillen. He was the twin brother of the late Robert Morrow and they were born on June 23, 1928 at Drumgallon, Lisnaskea, the eldest of seven children of the late Robert and Edith Morrow. Jimmy was predeceased by both his parents and his brothers Robert, Harry and Wilfred.

He attended school at Donagh and left at the age of 14 to help his father on the family farm at Ballagh, Lisnaskea. He then bought a tractor and thresher, contracting for local farmers. He was a skilled builder and renowned for building farm buildings and doing house renovations throughout Fermanagh. He was the fifth generation of Morrows to follow the tradition of blacksmithing and he had a working forge at his farm at Kilronan.

He married Mabel Johnston and they based their home at Kilronan, Lisnaskea where he set up a dairy farm, which he ran until 1999. He then diversified and supported his son in establishing the Morrow Sandstone business and took an active role in the business until his illness in November 2009.

He was a member of LOL 434 and RBP 183.

Jimmy and Mabel were devoted parents to their six children and delighted in spending time with their 12 grandchildren; Louise, Andrew, Stewart, Stephen, Emma-Jane, Geoffrey, Samantha, Robert, Richard, Matthew, Adam and Harry.

They are immediately survived by their six children and 12 grandchildren. Jimmy is survived by his sisters, Mrs. Violet Wiggins (Magheraveely), Mrs. Flo Elliott (Lisnaskea) and Mrs. Evelyn Brown (Kesh). Mabel is survived by her sisters Mrs. Dorothea Elliott (Aghadrumsee), Mrs. Isobel Black (Cavan), Mrs. Rene Johnston (Rosslea) and brothers David (Cornafanog), William (Leeds) and Derek (Newtownbutler) along with their sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

Both services were held in Sallaghy Church, Lisnaskea. The service for Mabel Morrow was conducted by the Rev. Alan Capper and the Rev. Bryan Kerr conducted the service for James Morrow. The interments took place at Holy Trinity Church, Lisnaskea.