Mrs. Isabella Muriel Sheridan
Editorial Department • Published 28 Dec 2012 09:30
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A much-loved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt, Mrs. Isabella Muriel Sheridan passed away peacefully at the South West Acute Hospital on Monday, December 10.
Muriel, as she was fondly known, was born on February 6, 1927 in the townland of Crenagh in Killeshandra Parish, County Cavan. She was the second eldest of seven children of Richard (Dickie) Venton and Margaret Venton (nee Johnston.) After attending Killeshandra National School, Muriel helped out on the family farm until she moved over to England for a short time in 1950 where she worked in a factory in Birmingham.
In 1947 Muriel got to know a young soldier from the 1st Battalion of the Inniskilling Fusiliers who was home on leave from India; there then followed a long distance romance over the next few years. That young soldier was David Noble Sheridan, fondly known as Noble and they married on April 30, 1951 in Killeshandra Parish Church.
Muriel and Noble started married life near Ballinamallard, then lived in Chanterhill briefly before moving to Derrychara Drive where they spent a very happy and contented 40 years. For the last 17 years they made their home at Breandrum Park.
Most of Muriel's early married life was spent at home looking after her two children David and Joy, both of whom now live in England. Later she worked in the canteen at Enniskillen High School and then Kingston's Menswear shop on Belmore Street. Apart from helping to make a warm, loving and supportive family home, Muriel was very keen on cooking and baking, in particular boiled cakes and apple tarts, and she attended a cooking course at Enniskillen Technical College. She also enjoyed knitting and sewing and took great pride in the flowers in her garden.
For a number of years Muriel served as a leader with the Junior Boys' Brigade linked to the Presbyterian Church in Enniskillen. In later years she delighted in following the progress of her six grandchildren Mark, Philip, Rebecca, Kathryn, Gillian and Stacey. She always looked forward to their visits and pampering them with little treats.
Muriel and Noble were married for over 61 years and enjoyed a loving and contented marriage. For the last two and a half years, Muriel resided in the County Care Home on the Tempo Road where she enjoyed the visits of Dean Kenneth Hall and the Rev. Alistair Warke from St. Macartin's Cathedral, talking positively about her life and faith. Although in poor health she was a fighter, she never let illness get the better of her and was an inspiration to many in the nursing home. She received dedicated and loving care from all of the staff in the home, who came to love, admire and respect her greatly.
There was a large attendance at her funeral service in St. Macartin's Cathedral. The service was conducted by Dean Kenneth Hall, ably assisted by the Rev. Alistair Warke. The hymns were "Will your Anchor Hold" and "What a Friend We Have in Jesus". The solo, "The Old Rugged Cross" was sung by Mr. Francis Allett and the New Testament reading from Revelations Chapter 21 was read by her son David. Muriel is survived by her husband Noble, son David and daughter Joy, daughter-in-law Jane, son-in-law Pete, grandchildren Mark, Philip, Rebecca, Kathryn, Gillian and Stacey. She also leaves her brothers Harry, Georgie and Park. She was predeceased by her sisters Madge (Mrs. Dunwoody), Lil (Mrs. McCabe) and Ida (Mrs. Purdy).
The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. Austen Stinson of W.T. Morrison, funeral directors, Enniskillen.
This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 28 Dec 12
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