Widespread sadness has been expressed following the death on December 15, 2014, of Mrs. Violet Sarah Henderson, a much-loved mother and grandmother, and devoted wife of the late Stephen Henderson.

The popular member of the community passed away peacefully, aged 54 years, at Altnagelvin Hospital, Londonderry, with her daughters and other family members around her.

Late of Birch Grove, Lisbellaw, Violet was formerly Clarke of Monmurry, Brookeborough.

A daughter of Anna Clarke and the late Sam Clarke, she was one in a family of five; she leaves her brothers and sisters, Gordon, Iris, Stanley and Deborah.

She was educated at Brookeborough Primary School and Fivemiletown High School, before taking up her first job at Cooneen Textiles.

She got married on June 1, 1979, aged 19, to Stephen Henderson. The couple, who had been childhood sweethearts, made their home initially with Stephen’s parents, Lily and the late William Henderson, at Rock View Church Brae, Lisbellaw. They then moved to Tamlaght and then returned to Lisbellaw, their last home having been at Birch Grove. They raised two daughters, Cheryl and Charlene.

On returning to work, Violet took up employment at the Wellworth’s store at the Diamond, Enniskillen, where she was very well-liked and made a lot of friends.

She always loved sewing and went to work at Tamlaght Textiles, followed by a short period at Desmond’s factory, Enniskillen.

Violet then worked in Poundstretcher, Enniskillen, until she became unwell; she was one of the longest serving employees and made great friends there too.

Most afternoons she went to her daughter’s house, where she loved spending time with her grandchildren.

Her grandchildren, Nathan, twins Bethany and Alicia (Cheryl’s children), and Jessica and Jack (Charlene’s children) were a source of much pleasure to Violet, who loved all children.

She is remembered as very kind natured, young at heart, and she always lent a listening ear. She was close to her family and they could have gone to her about anything or spoke to her about anything. And every night there was her regular phone calls at 9.30pm to Cheryl and Charlene to wish them ‘good night’ and tell them she loved them.

She loved her home in Lisbellaw and the people there, and everyone loved her. She was a friend to everyone.

A major blow to Violet was the loss of her husband Stephen, who passed away on a family holiday in Portugal in June 2010. She never really got over his sudden death.

In April 2012, she became unwell with a cancer illness, which she bore very courageously.

Her family say she fought her ill health as much as she could, and she never complained and got on with things. She always had a positive outlook and dealt with her illness.

Interests for Violet included her love of sewing, and she loved walking with her husband Stephen, and she adored children.

Her funeral service, a Service of Thanksgiving for her life, was held on December 18, 2014, at Lisbellaw Parish Church; it was conducted by Archdeacon Cecil Pringle and The Very Rev. Dean Kenneth Hall.

The hymns were Lead Us, Heavenly Father, Lead Us, a Henderson family favourite for over 60 years; The Lord’s My Shepherd, and Abide With Me. The hymns were the same hymns which were sung at her late husband’s funeral.

Her daughter Charlene read a tribute to her mother, who was also regarded as a best friend by her two daughters.

Readings at the church included a poem composed and delivered by her grandson Nathan, and there were readings by Violet’s nephews, James and Christopher. Her niece Sarah-Jayne sang ‘Once In Royal David City.’ Burial was at Tattygar Cemetery.

Violet is survived by her daughters: Cheryl and husband Johnny Noble, and Charlene and husband Gareth Palmer; and her five grandchildren Nathan, Bethany and Alicia and Jessica and Jack.

She leaves her mother Anna Clarke and her brothers and sisters Gordon, Iris, Stanley and Deborah and respective families. Also surviving Violet are her mother-in-law Lily Henderson and her brothers-in-law Winston and David and sisters-in-law Jill and Ruth and respective families.

She also leaves her aunt Ruby and the wider family circle and her many friends, including Roberta Wilson.

The funeral arrangements were by Funeral Directors S.R. Elliott and Sons, Darling Street, Enniskillen.