A beloved local figure who received more than 1,400 cards to mark her 100th birthday during the height of the coronavirus pandemic has passed away in her 101st year.

Annie Evelyn Elizabeth Bowles, better known as ‘Evie’, and also to many simply as ‘Granny’, passed away peacefully on Sunday.

Her son Derek led the tributes, saying: “She will be greatly missed by all who loved her, but her memory will live on in all of us forever.”

Evie was born on October 31, 1920 to Elizabeth and Edward Rutledge of Hill House Cornafanog, Lisbellaw and was sister to four brothers – Jack, Ernie, Edwin and Harold – all of whom have pre-deceased her.

Her early education took place at Lisbellaw Primary School. She went on to study book-keeping, under Miss Goulding in Maguiresbridge, before finding employment in Creighton’s shop, Lisbellaw.

Husband

It was through her work that she met her future husband. She continued in Creighton’s until a certain Fred Bowles arrived from Milltown, County Cavan, to work in Brownlee’s shop straight across the street.

After a courtship involving many local dances, the pair married on December 6, 1944, in Tempo Parish Church and they set up home in Drumad, Lisbellaw.

They had five children: Gladys, Lorna, Derek, Lynda and Wilma.

In 1948, Fred was offered a job in Newtownbutler as Manager of McCoy’s General Merchant, which they eventually purchased on the death of the owner, Hamilton Johnston.

They employed up to five staff, introducing a mobile shop which travelled across most of Fermanagh six days a week. As well as serving in the shop, Evie devoted a lot of her time to cooking, baking, book-keeping and knitting.

Her family added: “This was a pastime she maintained throughout most of her life; there are countless garments knitted by Evie which are still in use today.”

The business was sold in 1976, when they retired to a new bungalow at Macknagh, Lisnaskea.

Her family said: “There they enjoyed 38 years together in Lisnaskea, welcoming grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who all have very fond memories of the numerous birthday celebrations and Christmas dinners together at Macknagh.

“They continued to enjoy gardening, holidays and their love of dogs in their retirement, and of course, the knitting and baking continued.”

Sadly, Evie and Fred were predeceased by their daughter, Wilma. The family said: “In 2003, their youngest daughter, Wilma, sadly died at the age of 42, which was a big loss to them and all the family.”

They were still living together at Macknagh when Fred reached 100 years of age in 2012, but after this his health declined.

Evie played a major part in his care until he passed away at the age of 101 in May, 2014. They had been together for a little over 70 years.

Evie continued to live alone in the bungalow with the help of her family, friends, and carers, but in early 2018 she spent a couple of months in hospital, and it was after this that she moved into Gortacharn Residential Home in Lisnaskea.

Here she quickly became known to everyone as ‘Granny’.

The whole Bowles family paid tribute to those who cared for Evie in the home. Derek said: “We cannot express our gratitude highly enough for the care and love she received from Ena Trimble and all the amazing staff.

“Mum was very happy and content, with a constant stream of visitors.

“We will all be forever grateful for the happy years that everyone at Gortacharn gave her.”

The family singled out her 100th birthday party as a special event, when the staff went out of their way to make the day special, despite it falling in the midst of coronavirus restrictions.

There were socially-distanced visits, cake, champagne, music and dancing, and even a visit from a BBC film crew.

Derek said: “We knew we couldn’t have the big gathering of well-wishers that we had hoped for, so her grandson, Gary, put up a post on Facebook asking people to send her a card, as she wouldn’t get to celebrate as planned with her family and friends.

“This resulted in the arrival of more than 1,400 cards from every corner of the globe!”

READ MORE: Fermanagh woman sent over 1,000 cards for her 100th birthday

After a short period of ill health, Evie passed away on the morning of Sunday, September 19, and her funeral took place on Tuesday, September 21 at Holy Trinity Parish Church, Lisnaskea.

Her favourite hymn, ‘What a Friend we have in Jesus’, was sung, and her neighbour at Macknagh of more than 40 years, Mr. Tommy McDermott, sang another of her favourites, ‘Amazing Grace’, just as he had done at her late husband Fred’s funeral.

The service was conducted by Rev. Johnny McLoughlin of Aghavea Parish, who spoke of how he had come to know Evie during her time in Gortacharn, and how he too had fallen into the habit of calling her ‘Granny’.

Very grateful

The family are very grateful for his kind words and support over recent days.

They would also like to extend their thanks to all those who attended the funeral, and to those who paid their respects along the route as Evie made her final journey through Lisnaskea.

She was laid to rest in the Holy Trinity church yard alongside husband, Fred.

Funeral arrangements were carried out by Austen Stinson, W. T. Morrison Funeral Directors, to whom the family would also like to extend their deepest thanks.