A much-loved wife, mother and grandmother, Mrs. Audrey Beattie, a well-known and popular member of Fermanagh’s business and community life, passed away peacefully at her home on October 20, 2014.

Born in February 1941 on Main Street, Fivemiletown, Audrey was the only daughter of the late Reggie Boyd and Lilly Boyd (née Dunwoody of Tattyrae).

She spent many happy childhood days both at the farm in Tattyrae and in her grandparents’ hotel on Main Street, Fivemiletown, where her mother helped out.

Audrey attended Fivemiletown Primary School, followed by Enniskillen Technical College, where she remained until 1956, studying secretarial studies. On finishing school, she then took up a post working with Willie Brownlee of Erne Engineering, and she worked there until she got married in 1965.

Audrey and Colin Beattie married on April 3, 1965 and set up home in Lisnaskea. During their time in Lisnaskea, Tanya their eldest daughter and Cheryl their second eldest daughter were born.

Many happy times were spent in Lisnaskea, where the family lived in Sylvan Hill. In the late 60s, Colin left his former employment and the family moved to Maguiresbridge while Colin set up a boat building business, which was situated in the Old Mill in Lisbellaw. Audrey meanwhile ran an office for the business from home; their son Alard was born in 1971.

In 1972, Colin Beattie and Pat McGuinness formed the company, Ernecraft Ltd., and built the current premises along with two family homes (one of which was where Colin and Audrey still resided) on the Brookeborough Road in Lisnaskea.

Audrey again set up and managed the office for running the day to day business. She worked alongside Colin in the business for 40 years, and when they acquired the Carrybridge Hotel in 1994 Audrey looked after the administration for both businesses.

The nature of the businesses took both Audrey and Colin to Florida and Europe on many occasions to attend Regal Boats’ conferences and boating events.

They also travelled to England and Dublin many times to attend Boat Shows.

Audrey was involved in the committees of the Lisnaskea Boat Club and the Erne Boat Rally, where she served as secretary and assistant treasurer.

She also enjoyed being an active committee member of the Lisnaskea Boat Club which was founded in the early 70s and helped run and organise a variety of boating and other events that took place there over the years.

Past President of the Enniskillen Rotary Club’s Ladies’ Inner Wheel, Audrey enjoyed many Rotary dinner dances, conferences, trips and outings whilst making many good friends. Audrey also acted as a Justice of the Peace for a period of time.

Over the years, the family grew and Audrey was grandmother to nine grandchildren, all of whom she delighted in. Audrey will be sadly missed by all her family and her circle of friends who span the globe, particularly in Canada, where most of the extended Beattie family now live.

The funeral service took place in St. Micheal’s Parish Church, Derrybrusk, conducted by Canon David Skuce and Dean Kenneth R.J Hall, with burial in the adjoining churchyard.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Dowler’s Funeral Services, 7 Cherryhill, Gortacharn, Lisnaskea. Donations, if desired, are to St. Michael’s Parish Church, Derrybrusk, c/o Dowler’s Funeral Services.