A much loved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Mrs Audrey Hester Prentice (nee Black), wife of Victor, Lisboy, Tempo passed away peacefully on April 10, 2020.

Audrey was born on April 16, 1939 at Currin, Ballinamallard fifth child of Hester and John Black, Magheracross, Ballinamallard. Audrey attended Ballinamallard Primary School and Kilskeery School. Audrey finished her education at Omagh Technical College, walking to the Bundoran junction she caught the train for Omagh. When she had completed her studies she had acquired, short hand,type writing and book keeping/accountancy.

Audrey commenced work in Ferguson Solicitors, Townhall Street,Enniskillen, and helped out at Strong’s Post Office and shop Kilskeery.

Audrey met Victor Prentice at a social in the Archdale Hall, Ballinamallard, she loved the socials and dancing. Following a courtship Audrey and Victor where engaged on August 12,1957, and married the following year on November 12,1958 at Magheracross Parish Church of Ireland, Ballinamallard.

Audrey settled on the family farm at Lisboy,Tempo with the Prentice family, and joined the congregation of Creagh Methodist Church.

Audrey passed her driving test in 1959, which allowed her independence to go to town for supplies and take her mother in law Mrs. Margaret Prentice to church activities. At Creagh Methodist Church, Audrey held the position of secretary for 30 years. She was a member of the W.D and choir of Fivemiletown Methodist Church, and also became a member of the Mothers’ Union at Saint Ronan’s Church, Colebrooke with the position of secretary for a number of years.

Audrey went on to have six children Ernest, Raymond, Valerie, Ronald, Cyril and Caroline. Continuing to help on the family farm she had a love of gardening and had a vegetable garden that she took great pride in.

Audrey was a great cook, it was always a pleasure to her preparing meals and baking fadge bread, scones and tarts for her family. She loved the country life.

Audrey went for an interview at Cooneen Textiles, Fivemiletown and being successful commenced work their on October 8, 1973. She carried out different roles in the production, service and dispatch departments. Travelling between Aldervale, Ballinamore and Cloughmills factories on business with her mathematical skills, she was faster than any calculator.

Audrey was a valued member of staff and was fondly known as Mrs. P. by her colleagues and friends there. Audrey moved her family to a new bungalow built by her husband Victor in 1978 and she resided there for 42 years.

In the 1980s Audrey and Victor enjoyed travelling on bus tours to England and Southern Ireland. She loved country and western music Big Tom in particular. Enjoying her work at Cooneen Textiles, Audrey attended all the Christmas dinner dances held by the Cooneen group. She invited her family and close friends to attend with her and Victor, it was their Christmas treat from her. Audrey’s career with Cooneen Textiles lasted 25 years and she retired on her 60th birthday on April 16, 1999.

With a retirement party hosted by the management of Cooneen Textiles, Audrey was presented with the gift of an engraved gold watch, a cheque and flowers, a plaque was also presented to her for her attendance at work, and a dinner for her and her colleagues.

Following her retirement she managed to travel to Canada not just once but three times. Audrey and Victor had a great friendship with Mabel and Wyman Whalen who also visited them on several occasions.

Continuing with life on the farm you could find her helping out to bring in the cattle from the field to the yard for milking, she also did the accounts. Audrey loved visiting her many friends and relations, she had a great sense of humour and loved to play tricks on her friends. Audrey loved the sea air visiting Portrush, Bundoran and Newcastle.

Her love of family was extended having 12 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, who visited her regularly.

Anyone who came to help on the farm where always given a friendly invite to join her and Victor for dinner. Her kitchen was always inviting with the kettle on the ready for tea and the smell of fresh bread.

Audrey and Victor celebrated there Diamond Wedding Anniversary on November 12, 2018 with their family attending.

Audrey is survived by her husband Victor, her sons Ernest(Gail), Raymond, Ronald (Rosemary), Cyril(Caroline). Daughters Valerie (Joseph), Caroline (Ivan). Grandchildren Mathew, Adam, Leslie(Megan), Isabel(Steven), Stephen(Carla), Andrew(Danielle), Amanda (Shane), Aaron, Nathan, Ben, James and Samuel. Great grandchildren Teddy, Sophia, Lydia, Jasper, Casey, Imogen and Ebony. Also her brother William Black, sisters Louise Nixon, Dorothy Edwards and Sylvia Wilson.

Audrey is predeceased by her brother Roy Black and sister Winnie Whiteside, also her daughter-in-law Heather Prentice.