THE late, “kind” and “selfless” fundraising hero, Sadie Brown, will be remembered for her dedication to helping others and her strong passion for charity work, as well as her deep and abiding love for all her extended family.

Sadie (92), from Ballinamallard, passed away peacefully on October 31 at her daughter’s home in Enniskillen.

Described by her daughter, Lenni Brown-Reid, as “kind, caring and selfless”, Sadie was a well-known and active figure in the Fermanagh community for many years, spending much of her life helping others through her fundraising endeavours.

Sadie’s caring nature was evident from an early age. Having trained as a nurse, she was actively engaged in a caring role by looking after elderly family members whilst also managing a home with six young children.

In her working life, she held the role of Postmistress at the post office at Whitehill for many years, and later worked in the agricultural offices at Riversdale and Enniskillen, where she acquired many friends.

Sadie was actively involved in the local community and made time for a lot of people. Charity work had been a big part of Sadie’s life since 1982, when she joined the Cancer Research committee.

She was also involved in the Fermanagh branch of the Diabetic Society and the Shoebox Appeal, for which she shopped all year round to find supplies for the shoe boxes, and still found time to knit many hats, scarves or little jumpers for impoverished children.

In 1992, she and her late husband, Eddie (also a keen charity worker, who passed away in 2009) were recognised with the Hearts of Gold Award.

They were nominated by Lenni for their community and charity work.

“When I nominated mum and dad for the Hearts of Gold Award, they won the Family Award, and got to visit London for the first time, appeared on Esther Rantzen’s live TV programme, and in addition won a three-week holiday to Disney World in Florida, leading the parade down Main St. USA!”

In 2006, Sadie was one of the major influences in raising more than £6,000 for REVIVE – a charity within the Royal Intensive Care Unit at Royal Victoria Hospital, where one of her grandchildren had been a patient.

The Children’s Ward in the former Erne Hospital, the Palliative Care Team and the Neo Natal unit also benefitted from her charitable efforts.

Sadie had been very much involved with Trendsetters Irvinestown (formerly Age Concern) for many years, and held a number of offices. In 2011, she was recognised with the Margaret Wilson Award.

Most recently, Sadie diligently fundraised for the Fermanagh branch of Friends of the Cancer Centre.

An active member of Trory Parish Church, Sadie helped fundraise for her beloved church from 1987 to 1993.

“Mummy was a great one in the church, she was on the Select Vestry, she was caretaker, and she was one of the first female church wardens – a role she was highly honoured to carry out,” said Lenni, noting that with a “dedicated team of helpers”, her mother organised events and helped raise thousands of pounds for church repairs.

“She would have just been in her glory, organising the funeral teas with her band of helpers. The minister was saying that it was sad that you couldn’t even have a cup of tea after her funeral.”

Sadie took a great interest in the church’s Tuesday Club, and was a member of Trory Mothers’ Union for more than 50 years. She was presented with a Certificate of Long Service to the Mothers’ Union in 2016/2017.

Beloved wife of the late Eddie Brown, dearly loved mother of Margaret, Sylvia, Ted, Lenni, Valerie and Harold, and a much-loved mother-in-law, grandmother and great-grandmother, Sadie is lovingly remembered by her family and the family circle.

Arranged by W. T. Morrison, Funeral Directors, Sadie’s funeral service took place on Monday, November 2 at St. Michael’s Parish Church, Trory, followed by burial in the adjoining churchyard.

Lenni added that Sadie’s family were deeply moved by the number of people who came out to pay their final respects as her funeral cortege passed by.