The death of Mrs. Sarah McQuillan (pictured on her 103rd birthday), last surviving member of her family, on Saturday, March 15, and her burial on March 18 in her 104th year, saw the end of a long life and involvement in Fermanagh and Lough Erne. Born Sarah Ann Monaghan, at Derryneive, Ederney in 1911, she attended Montiagh National School in the northerly part of Fermanagh, worked on the family farm and with the Cassidys, Ederney; she was godmother to the late Rev. Kevin Cassidy. Then she worked at the former Lough Erne Hotel, Rossclare, Killadeas during World War Two.

In 1945 she married George McQuillan, the Moorings and Salvage Master at the Rossclare Boatyard. They had the following family: James; Margaret; the late John; Henry; George and Mary, whose education she strenuously advanced. In 1957 the Boatyard closed and the family moved to Water St., Enniskillen, while George converted the ‘Endeavour’, which he had designed and built, for passenger service, in which Sarah was very active on board.

John was killed in a car accident in 1973, and after a long illness, George her husband passed away in 1975. Later the boat service was sold, before which Sarah accompanied her husband to Lourdes, and later visited her family overseas.

She was spiritually active in the community, a constant pilgrim to Lough Derg, and visited Rome, Assisi and other shrines. She was a weekly member of a local prayer group for 20 years, and was generous in reflecting her faith and hospitality to all who met her.

Sarah was endowed with a character embodying a fearless determination, an unshakeable optimism, boundless energy and a vibrant sense of discipline. Those who crossed her path were always impressed by her warm welcome, a generosity of giving without want of return, and her infectious sense of humour.

She settled in 12 Rossorry Terrace, Enniskillen, from where her remains left, having died peacefully at the Graan Abbey Nursing Home. The Requiem Mass was celebrated in St. Michael’s Church by the Rev. Fr. Joseph McVeigh, who also officiated at Breandrum Cemetery. The funeral direction was by Blakes, Enniskillen. Sarah is sadly missed by her family and far-flung friends, and is survived by 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.