THE family of the late Valerie Wilson have paid tribute to a "warm and loving" mother who always put others before herself.

Valerie (80), late of Station Brae, Ballinamallard, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family after an illness borne with quiet dignity, and without complaint.

Paying tribute, her son said: "She was a typical hardworking, farmer's wife, who tirelessly worked, rearing a family of five, and also helped on the farm."

Family was a very important part of Valerie's life. "She lived for her grandchildren in England, Scotland and at home here in Northern Ireland. In recent years she enjoyed her new family of great-grandchildren, too."

In 1961, Valerie married Wesley Wilson and they set up home on the family farm at Hackincon, where their family of five were the centre of her life.

Being practical, from the outset Valerie quickly made her skills useful by making dresses, knitting jumpers and altering clothes for friends and neighbours, gaining a local reputation of 'being handy with a needle'.

The family were fortunate to live next door to neighbours Bill and Winnie Wilson, Wesley’s brother, and both families enjoyed a deep bond, where their children grew up together, forming lasting friendships that have endured.

Both families can relate to the annual rhythm of the agricultural calendar, of turning out cattle into the fields in springtime, cutting and winning hay and digging potatoes in harvest time, where the families helped each other out.

Like all farmers's wives, Valerie was expected to produce a good meal for all the helpers, and there was always an endless supply of tea, scones and wheaten bread.

Not only was Valerie engaged in family and the farm, but she also was a very keen gardener, producing a good supply of vegetables and fruit, but she especially loved flowers, borne out by the fact that the family say that there were always new plants popping up in any spare piece of ground, and they had to be careful not to cut some newly planted slip.

Wesley died in 2010, and during this period of upheaval, Valerie eventually moved to Ballinamallard, where she lived in her dream home, with a large garden, close to family and friends, maintaining her association with Kilskeery Parish.

Always a keen indoor bowler, Valerie enjoyed the parish bowling club, and was always on hand to help out with catering for the annual tournament, enjoying the annual excursion to Westport with other club members

Valerie was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in August, 2019, and as was typical of her attitude in life, she was knitting 'trauma teddies' for children in hospital and 'baby hats' for the local neo-natal unit.

Her son explained how his mother had a strong Christian faith, and was a faithful attender of Kilskeery Parish Church, where she was involved in many church activities including the church choir and Mothers's Union, who donated a floral display for the Service of Thanksgiving in her memory.

Valerie was a member of various other organisations in her local area, including the Women's Institute in Irvinestown, where she was a former President and had many dear friends.

The family were moved by the Guard of Honour they provided for their mother outside her home, as the cortege moved off on her final journey to Kilskeery.

She was also involved with the Irvinestown cross-community group, Trendsetters, where she enjoyed many social activities and enjoyed attending the local Wednesday Club.

A family joke was where Valerie earned the name 'Mrs. Never-In', because the only time they could be reasonably sure to see her was for Sunday lunch - usually!

This year, on April 26, Valerie celebrated her 80th birthday. "Even in lockdown, in line with Covid regulations, mum had a family get-together on her patio at the back of her home, where families called at pre-arranged times," explained her son, saying that despite her illness, his mother was quite bright, and thoroughly enjoyed her birthday celebrations, surrounded by beloved family, in sunshine, in her garden – a perfect setting.

Talking about the final weeks of his mum's life as she battled ovarian cancer without complaint, her family acknowledged the care she received from her daughters, and daughters-in-law, who, in conjunction with medical support services, ensured that Valerie had a pain-free and dignified passing.

The service was conducted by Rev. Bryson. There was an acknowledgement of Valerie's love of bagpipes, by the playing of Highland Cathedral, which accompanied her to her burial in the accompanying graveyard.

The family said that their mother was an unassuming lady, never comfortable in the limelight, a humble and very 'matter-of-fact' lady, as was typical of her generation.

She had a strong sense of right and wrong, and held a deep and committed faith, enjoyed her family, had an impish sense of humour. and a wry smile that said so much.

Charlotte Valerie Wilson, wife of the late Wesley, and a devoted mother of Edwin (Karen), Maureen (Allan), Robert (Dorothy) and Lorraine (Paul), also a very dear sister and aunt, and a very special grandmother and great-grandmother, is very sadly missed by her loving family.