THE winding road from Tempo to Omagh can be hazardous at the best of times, no less in recent sub-zero temperatures. But inclement weather didn’t deter a local postwoman from braving the icy conditions yesterday, all in the name of one important delivery. Indeed, when Celine McCusker reached her destination after almost 30 miles – her mother’s house in Loughmacrory – she was met with jubilation, cheers and smiles.

In her Postman’s bag, the precious cargo - a card from the none other than the King and Queen, Charles and Camilla, and a letter personally sent from the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins. The recipient? Her mother, Brigid Dobbs, on her 100th birthday. Brigid was visibly delighted as her daughter unexpectedly entered the living room, dressed in her Royal Mail uniform. She was even more delighted to learn who the letters were from!

Brigid scanned the correspondence with delight – but true to what I soon learned was a humble manner, she didn’t get carried away by the limelight. “Your camera will be broken after that!” she quipped while photographs were snapped, which was met with rolls of laughter from her beloved family. Indeed, it is often said that laughter can be key to living a long life, and as Brigid disclosed, “ordinary food”, “hard work on the farm”, and “being honest and truthful”.

Speaking to family, the words humble, honest and truthful seem to encapsulate Brigid’s nature, which has been moulded from a life of work, friendship and making do. Born on January 1924 in Drumnakilly, near Omagh, Brigid left school aged 14 to work on her neighbour’s farm looking after cows. It is no small coincidence that St Brigid is the patron Saint of cattle and milk maids, and Brigid’s rural upbringing has stayed with her!

She married her husband, the late Michael, in 1954, and the couple had five, children; Michael, Gertie, Celine, Philomena and Kieran. The family lived at the scenic Lough Fingrean, at the foot of the Murrins mountain, which according to Celine, was packed with “so many happy memories.”

“She is so special to us all, and has taught us so much,” she said. “She always encouraged us to do our own thing, and she was so supportive of us in whatever we did.

“I always said that if I was still a postwoman, I would personally deliver her cards. “It was an opportunity that couldn’t be missed, even if the roads were a bit icy! “I am proud and honoured to have made the delivery. She truly is the best mum in the world, and she taught us all the value of working hard.”