Mrs Ellen Sheerin
Editorial Department • Published 2 Aug 2012 09:30
Mrs. Ellen Sheerin from Marlbank died peacefully at home on Wednesday, May 23, 2012, aged 88 years.
Over the last number of years, Ellen endured indifferent health and spent a short period last year in hospital. Born on April 14, 1924, she was the second youngest child of seven of the late Charles and Annie Dolan, of Cuppanaghbawn, Glangevlin.
As a girl, she attended the National School at Cuppanaghbawn. After leaving school in her early teens, she helped maintain the family farm and assisted with household chores.
In 1941, she married Thomas Sheerin, a local farmer at Marlbank, Florencecourt; together they raised a family of six, four sons and two daughters, namely John James (Mary), May (John), Anna (Michael), Tommy (Anna), Patrick, Gerard (Josie).
Ellen was a devoted mother and housewife, working attentively and with great effort over the years tending to her family and assisting with the everyday running of the family farm. Aside from her main duties, Ellen loved to play the fiddle, knit, make bread, pray, read, and visit and entertain family, friends and neighbours in her home. Ellen particularly enjoyed attending to family who would visit annually from America. Indeed her neighbours and friends kept her spirits high, visiting her weekly for a ceilidh and cup of tea. She particularly looked forward to these visits and reminiscing.
On a daily basis, Ellen looked forward to visits from her home help, carers and nurses who ensured her comfort and provided diligent support and care.
She was a woman with deep faith and religious beliefs, and although unable to attend mass for the last number of years she always received the Sacrament in her home. This was a trait she maintained right to the end as shown by how much she appreciated visits from clergy and lay ministers while unable to leave her home towards the end of her life.
Sadly in 1980, her husband Thomas died suddenly at 67 years. This was followed in 1995 by her daughter May. In 2002, Ellen's son Patrick died after suffering a short illness. This was a sore cross for her to bear, but her great faith and with the strength and support of her family she kept going.
Ellen was predeceased by her brothers and sisters, John, Mary, Tommy, James. Brendan and Anna. She is immediately survived by her last two remaining sisters-in-law, Ann Dolan (Castlerea) and Mary Dolan (New York). She is also survived by her own family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and the wider family circle.
After her death, her remains were reposed at her home in Marlbank. The funeral mass was celebrated in St. Lasir's Church, Wheathill, on Friday, May 25, 2012 at 11am. The celebrant was the Very Rev. Canon Brian McNamara. Afterwards her remains were laid to rest in the family plot at St. Patrick's Cemetery, Killesher.
The funeral arrangements were carried out by Tom McNulty, undertaker, Enniskillen, and assisted by Peter Carty, undertaker, from Garrison.
After a long and fruitful life, Ellen will be fondly remembered by her numerous family members, friends, neighbours and the wider community.
This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 02 Aug 12
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