WE ALL MISS RAYMOND SO MUCH
We all miss Raymond so much'
KEVIN Skelton has been both mum and dad to his wonderful family of three daughters and one son, since the tragic death of his loving wife Philomena. She was one of the innocent victims of the appalling Real IRA bomb blast in Omagh, on August 15,1998, which claimed 29 lives.
Now he has devoted his life to bringing up his children - as did Philomena.
And daughters Paula, 22, Tracey, 19, and 17-year-old Shauna are devastated that their brother hasn't been in contact for so long.
Said Kevin: "We all miss him so much - and it just destroyed Christmas."
Two other young girls are also trying to cope with the heartbreak of not seeing Raymond.
His "adopted" Romanian sisters, Nicoletta Cozac, 16, and 14-year-old Andreea Cozac can't understand why he's not with them at this special time of year. The teenage orphans are very much part of the Skelton family - Andreea adored Philomena so much she called her her "Irish mammy". They make two trips a year to Drumquin and Kevin is now chairperson of the Drumquin Omagh Friends of Romania charity.
Said Kevin: "They think Raymond is silly not to come home and it's not the same without him.
"But the two wee girls always make Christmas special, no matter what.
"Philomena began taking Andrea over here in 1997 and when she died I just carried it on, bringing Nicoletta to Omagh as well.
"I know that would have been my wife's wish and I feel I must continue where she left off.
"Christmas with the girls is something I really look forward to; it brings a bit of life about the house.
"When they go back to Romania I miss them so much.
"I love to sit back in the chair and listen to them talking in their own language; they're so happy.
"But it's a double blow for them with Philomena no longer here and Raymond now missing."
KEVIN Skelton has been both mum and dad to his wonderful family of three daughters and one son, since the tragic death of his loving wife Philomena. She was one of the innocent victims of the appalling Real IRA bomb blast in Omagh, on August 15,1998, which claimed 29 lives.
Now he has devoted his life to bringing up his children - as did Philomena.
And daughters Paula, 22, Tracey, 19, and 17-year-old Shauna are devastated that their brother hasn't been in contact for so long.
Said Kevin: "We all miss him so much - and it just destroyed Christmas."
Two other young girls are also trying to cope with the heartbreak of not seeing Raymond.
His "adopted" Romanian sisters, Nicoletta Cozac, 16, and 14-year-old Andreea Cozac can't understand why he's not with them at this special time of year. The teenage orphans are very much part of the Skelton family - Andreea adored Philomena so much she called her her "Irish mammy". They make two trips a year to Drumquin and Kevin is now chairperson of the Drumquin Omagh Friends of Romania charity.
Said Kevin: "They think Raymond is silly not to come home and it's not the same without him.
"But the two wee girls always make Christmas special, no matter what.
"Philomena began taking Andrea over here in 1997 and when she died I just carried it on, bringing Nicoletta to Omagh as well.
"I know that would have been my wife's wish and I feel I must continue where she left off.
"Christmas with the girls is something I really look forward to; it brings a bit of life about the house.
"When they go back to Romania I miss them so much.
"I love to sit back in the chair and listen to them talking in their own language; they're so happy.
"But it's a double blow for them with Philomena no longer here and Raymond now missing."
Further Information
Publisher: SUNDAY LIFE
Ref: SL/123
Published Date: 30-Dec-01
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