Mrs. Sarah Beattie

THERE has been widespread sadness following the death of Mrs. Sarah Beattie (nee Loane), who passed away suddenly on December 27.

Sarah's family have paid tribute to a woman who was the kindest, sweetest, caring, most good-natured and self-sacrificing person they have ever known – someone who always put others before herself.

She was born in Drumbarron, Ederney and was one of six children. Her brother, Jim, and sister, Lily, passed away some years ago and her brother, John, and sisters, Margaret and Betty, survive her.

Sarah married Ollie Beattie in May, 1958 and resided at Stranahone, Lack until her later years, when due to mobility issues she moved to the Slieve Na Mon Nursing home near Gortin.

The couple had four children – Martha, Oliver, Ruth and Ernest – and three grandchildren, Mark, Stephen and Rachael, and two great-grandchildren, Finlay and Jacob.

Sarah's world revolved around her family life, work on the farm and taking care of her four children. Her children were her rock. They were her life.

There was nothing she would not do for them, and she always showered them with love, affection and kindness.

In her later years at the Slieve Na Mon, residents and staff spoke fondly of Sarah. She never forgot a nurse’s birthday, or the names of their children.

She often sat outside other residents’ rooms when they were ill, and always enquired if they were okay, aptly showing her self-sacrificing character. The family are grateful for the care Sarah received from all the staff at Slieve Na Mon.

Sarah loved reading, from gossip magazines to local newspapers to the Bible. She looked forward to her weekly visits to her family home in Lack to see her son, Oliver, and the family farm.

Sarah loved the drives to Gortin and Omagh with her daughter, Ruth, and the delicious dinners in Enniskillen at her daughter Martha’s home.

There she would also frequently see her grandchildren, and at times, her great-grandchildren too. She also very much enjoyed the frequent WhatsApp video calls with her son, Ernest, in Amsterdam and his regular visits to Fermanagh.

Sarah was a true inspiration. Despite losing her hearing at a young age, she never let her disability affect her cheerfulness, her love for life, and her devotion to her family. Her children were her world. She will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her.

Sarah's funeral was conducted by the Reverend Canon Irwin and took place at Colaghty Church on Wednesday, December 30 and arrangements were by F.G. McFarland & Sons.