Much sadness and shock has been expressed following the death on December 4, 2018 of Vivian Willis, Leginn House, Derrylin.

Vivian was born on May 28, 1945 eldest daughter of the late William and Margurite Finlay, Cacknish. Vivian attended Teemore Primary School and then Enniskillen High School.

She had planned to be a nurse but her mother passed away when she was only 17 years old. At this point she decided her place was at home looking after her father and three younger siblings, Ethel, John and Robert.

She went on to marry Albert Willis on September 30, 1969 and together they made their home at Leginn House, Derrylin. They had three children, Alan, Gordon and Rodney.

Along with helping out on the farm, raising her three children, Vivian also nursed Albert’s mother at their home until she passed away in 1997. She was delighted to welcome Rodney and Gordon’s new wives Joanne and Jill to the family in 2004 and 2006, and then overjoyed to welcome her five grandchildren Alex, Hayden, Jake, Claudia and Emmalie.

Vivian was a devoted, loving ‘Nana’ and took great pleasure and pride looking after Rodney and Joanne’s children while they were at work. She was often seen out enjoying a coffee, a swim, IPad class or walk on the farm with them.

Along with Albert she loved going to visit Gordon, Jill, Hayden and Emmalie in Chicago and took great pleasure in embracing travel and Skype to maintain a very close bond and especially enjoyed her trips when Hayden and Emmalie were born. She played an active role in the running of the farm and helped Albert and Alan right until she went into hospital.

A faithful member of Kinawley and Holy Trinity Parish church, Vivian took great pride in helping out at every possible occasion. She was caring member of the parish and is particularly remembered for being good at welcoming new members into the church and making them feel at home. She enjoyed partaking in the bowls club on a weekly basis as well as attending Mothers Union, prayer meetings and other parish clubs/ events.

Vivian was a great knitter and when she and Albert went on holidays, bus outings or trips to the beach she would often be found knitting a new garment. She had a caring gentle nature, coupled with a great sense of humour.

Vivian loved chatting to family members and friends on the phone or calling to see them. She was also a great baker and provided many batches of her delicious scones and tray bakes for Parish, Mother Union’s and school events.

Until November 2018, she had been blessed with very good health. Vivian’s strong Christian faith helped her to deal with her short illness with admirable dignity and strength right until the end. She was especially grateful that Gordon and Jill, with their children were able to come over and say goodbye before her passing.

Vivian is survived by her husband Albert, sons Alan, Gordon and Rodney, daughter in law’s Jill and Joanne, grandchildren Alex, Hayden, Jake, Claudia and Emmalie, her sister Ethel and brothers John and Robert as well as her brothers in laws and sisters in law, nephews and nieces.

The fitting, moving funeral service was conducted by Rev Alastair Donaldson in Kinawley Holy Trinity Parish church on December 6. The hymns were: ‘How sweet the name of Jesus sounds’, ‘How deep the Fathers love for us’ and ‘Abide with me’, with her sister in law Margaret Finlay playing the organ. Her daughter in law Jill, read the poem ‘As we remember her’ with her other daughter in law Joanne reading the lesson ‘John 14 v1-7’. The entire congregation read her favourite Psalm, 100.

The Mothers Union, which she had enjoyed being a faithful member of for many years, provided the beautiful refreshments after the service. Donations were in lieu of the parish church and the funeral arrangements were by Mr Austen Stinson, W T Morrison, Enniskillen.