The daughters of the late Mary Scott have paid tribute to their loving mother who was a “real role model” for all of the family with her warm and giving nature.

Mary (83), late of Elliott Place, Enniskillen passed away peacefully at the South West Acute Hospital on February 6, 2021 after a short illness.

“Mum was just a very special lady,” said Mary’s youngest daughter Elizabeth, who went on to describe her mother as a “really warm and loving person with an open heart and a great sense of humour”.

“She was so loving and giving. She would welcome everybody and was a real people person who loved life,” added her eldest daughter Marie.

Born in Donegal on July 31, 1937, Mary was the second eldest of six children born to Maria and Edward Given. As a young girl she travelled to Blackburn, England with her sister Anna for work, where she became a ‘live in’ housekeeper for a top surgeon.

After a few years she returned home again and got a job in Leinster Café in Enniskillen, where she was promoted to manager. It was in Enniskillen in the Cathedral Hall playing badminton that she met the love of her life Joe in 1959 and after a whirlwind romance they got married six months later in February 1960, in 2ft of snow. The couple had 54 wonderful years together.

“Their relationship laid the foundations for all the family to follow,” said Elizabeth, explaining that her mother became a full time carer to her father in his later years, until his passing in 2014.

A family woman through and through, whilst raising her two daughters, Mary worked three different jobs at the same time to ensure they got whatever they needed.

“She had so much time for her grandchildren and taught most of them to play Draughts and Bingo. She doted on her great grandchildren, always giving them pound coins, ‘ice cream money’ as she called it,” explained Marie.

Mary was well-known for her welcoming and sociable nature. She loved to spend time in her garden and looked forward to her weekly outings to the West End Community Centre.

“There was always an open fire and a welcome in Elliott Place for anyone who called in. She loved to see people and had many dear friends. Everyone had to get a cup of tea and whatever food was in the house was shared out, no-one ever left empty handed or with an empty tummy!” said Elizabeth.

In her early forties, Mary was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and suffered a lot of pain during her lifetime but she never complained. She was told that by the age of 45 she would be in a wheelchair due to her condition.

“Mum had that stubborn streak and that was never going to happen, up until recent weeks she was still walking up and down hill on her three-wheeler,” said Marie.

For nearly 40 years Mary was involved in the Rheumatoid Arthritis Committee and held the position of Chairwoman for many years. During this time the charity raised tens of thousands of pounds through different events including coffee mornings, knitting and crocheting chicks, soap and toilet roll holders. One of her most memorable moments was when Mary and her husband Joe received an invite to Buckingham Place to the Queen’s Garden Party, in recognition of all their Rheumatoid Arthritis charity work. “That was a huge honour for mummy and daddy,” said Marie.

Mary had a great Christian faith and took great comfort through this faith, from Dean Kenneth Hall and her church, St. Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen.

Aside from her Rheumatoid Arthritis, Mary was relatively healthy up until recently. She sadly passed away after a short illness. “She hadn’t been ill for very long so it’s been a real shock to all of us,” said Elizabeth.

Mary’s funeral service took place at her beloved church on Monday, February 8. Funeral arrangements were carried out by Marcus Madill, S.R. Elliott Funeral Directors.

Donations if desired may be made to Arthritis Research UK. Please make all cheques payable to “Arthritis Research UK” c/o Marcus Madill – S.R Elliott Funeral Directors, Office & Funeral Home, Drumclay Park North, Irvinestown Road, Enniskillen, BT74 6ND, or any family member.

A much loved wife of the late Joseph ‘Joe’, and a devoted mother of Marie (George) and Elizabeth (Brian), a dear sister of Gretta, Anna, Francie and the late John and Edwin, and a very special granny and great granny. Mary is very sadly missed by all of her family and the wider family circle.