Gretta Woods passed away very peacefully on February 1, 2014, at her home in Pound Street, Irvinestown, surrounded by her loving family.

Gretta is survived by her four daughters and three sons: Eilish, her eldest, followed by Ita, Áine, James, Charles, Carmel and Paul. She is dearly loved and missed by all of them. Her adored son, Liam, passed away in March 2001. Gretta is also survived by her 13 grandchildren.

Gretta was born on July 7, 1924 to Sidney and Frank Magee, in Main Street, Irvinestown. She was predeceased by her eight older brothers and sisters. Her father, Frank, died when she was only three months old. She went to school at the Loretto Convent in Omagh and later married her dear husband, James (Jimmy) Woods, a cattle dealer, who was originally from Tedd, just outside Irvinestown. Very sadly Jimmy died in April 1983.

Gretta can be characterised in a single word: love. She was a wonderful mother and a beautiful person with a generous spirit, who raised her children with morals and principles; she taught them to be strong and independent.

When Liam died, Gretta said that he taught her family the gifts of love and humility. Whilst that is true, those gifts came also from Gretta herself, for it was only through her and Jimmy’s love for Liam that her children learned this. Gretta had a unique gift: she could recognise and appreciate the talents in others and make them feel loved and lifted by her presence. Her creative mind, kind heart, great sense of humour and brilliant smile created such a positive energy.

Individuals have been so positive in their comments about Gretta, their little vignettes about how she made them feel special and how her kind and sincere thoughts and actions meant so much to them. Her generous heart filled her home with love, fun, family and friends, including an attitude that there was always room for one more.

Gretta’s strength was amazing, as was her ability to turn any situation into a positive and to galvanise those around her with love and warmth. Central to all this of course was Gretta’s faith; it was her core, her rock. She leaves all her children and grandchildren with the knowledge that they were truly loved.