Obituary: Mrs. Maureen Elizabeth West (née Hall)

Maureen was born in Enniskillen on March 31, 1929, eldest daughter to the late George and Elizabeth Hall, and elder sister to Caren.

The Halls lived at Ingleby Gardens and on the Dublin Road before moving to the Castlecoole Road after the war.

Maureen attended the Model School and Enniskillen Collegiate, from where she was awarded a scholarship to Stranmillis College, Belfast.

It was whilst at Stranmillis she embarked alone on a trip to Switzerland to meet up with a long-standing female pen pal.

This was quite an expedition for a young, single girl in the immediate post-war years, with most of Europe dark and unwelcoming; however, Maureen’s sense of adventure and hunger for learning overcame any concerns, and the beauty of rural Switzerland left a lasting impression which she would fondly and frequently recall over the years to family and friends.

She returned to Enniskillen to take up a teaching position in the Model School, alongside several of her former teachers.

Over the years, the family have often come across former pupils of Maureen’s at Enniskillen Model who recall how inspirational and imaginative she was to them as their teacher, and how she left a lasting impression.

She also attended Scots Presbyterian Church in Enniskillen from birth, where, until her death, she was the longest-serving member of its congregation.

In the mid-1950s, she met her future husband, Harry – a farmer from Mullaghmeen – who was at that time heavily involved in Enniskillen Rugby Club, and the Ulster Farmers’ Union, and was starting to show an interest in politics.

Before long, Harry and Maureen were married, in August, 1956, and set about raising a sizeable family.

William, Rosalind, John, Diana, Mary Lou, and Ronald arrived in quick succession, and then, after a much-needed break, baby Rupert arrived in 1971.

These were difficult times in Northern Ireland. Harry by this stage was heavily immersed in politics, as Minister for Agriculture in the Stormont Government, and subsequently as leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, and was regularly away from home over long days and nights.

Despite these considerable pressures, Maureen managed to raise her large family with amazing calmness and devotion.

In whatever spare time she could find, she willingly and enthusiastically adapted to Harry’s public life, taking on many public speaking roles and attending many political and civic functions far and wide, something she genuinely enjoyed.

One of the most memorable of such occasions was when in 1961 she and Harry were invited to dine with the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip on board The Royal Yacht Britannia.

Maureen was always active and involved in her community. She served as Chair of the Board of Governors of the Collegiate School, Chaired Multiple Sclerosis Fermanagh, Shanmullagh Womens’ Institute, Fermanagh Womens’ Unionist Association, and the Womens’ Ulster Unionist Council, and sat on the Board responsible for building the then new Erne Hospital.

Back home, on top of a busy schedule of school runs, Maureen had great culinary skills and thought nothing of having to fill nine or ten dinner plates almost every evening.

She was also a wonderful hostess, and hosted many fabulous and memorable parties in Rossahilly over the years for their wide circle of friends.

As family grew up and moved on, Maureen and Harry enjoyed their newfound freedom by taking the opportunity to travel together around Europe and North America.

When Harry’s health began to fail in the late 90s, Maureen unhesitatingly took on a new role, caring diligently and lovingly for her husband of 48 years, right up until he died in 2004.

After this, Maureen remained well and active for a long time, continuing to travel abroad with family and with her very good friend, Lovel Sloan, until very recently when her own failing health began to take its toll.

Maureen had a long and busy life, well-lived and much-loved. Throughout everything, right to the end, she maintained an interest in everything.

She loved following the travels and adventures of her growing crop of grandchildren, and sharing her own amazing memories from her travels.

She had an ability to remain calm and stoical during the most testing of situations. From the challenges of raising seven lively children, and through the latter years caring for Harry, the dignity and calmness she displayed was amazing, never once complaining, just quietly getting on with it.

Maureen also endured the deep pain of losing a child, her beloved Mary Lou, in 2018 – a loss she once again bore with calmness and dignity whilst providing great support to Mary Lou’s family, and to the rest of her children.

Maureen is survived by her sister, Caren, in Vancouver, Canada; and her children, William, Rosalind, John, Diana, Ronald, and Rupert, grandchildren Jane, Tory, Lauren, Richard, Chloë, Rozi, Henry, Joanna, Katie, Patrick, Charlie, Sarah, Ambra, Daisy Beau and Harry, along with a growing number of great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Maureen’s life was held at Enniskillen Scots Presbyterian Church on August 24.

The service was led by the Rev. David Cupples; one of her granddaughters, Joanna Burke, delivered a reading; and son, Ronald, delivered the tribute.

The interment followed at Breandrum Cemetery. The funeral arrangements were by funeral director Keith Elliott, W. T. Morrison, Enniskillen, who is also gratefully acknowledged by the family.