TRAGEDY ON THE EVE OF WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
Tragedy on the eve of wedding anniversary
A WOMAN from Mountfield who had devoted most of her life to working with her local church was one of those who lost their lives.
Mrs. Elizabeth Olive Hawkes, who had lived at Fecarry Road, would have celebrated her 61st birthday tomorrow (Friday), and was looking forward to celebrating her ruby wedding anniversary this weekend.
But for her husband, Percy Hawkes, her son, Mark, daughter, Mandy, and son in-law, Mervyn Walker, there will be no birthday or wedding anniversary celebrations, only mourning at the loss of what one relative described as "a wonderful wife, a loving mother, and a lovely woman."
Relatives and friends in the Mayne area of Mountfield were rallying around the Hawkes family from Sunday, offering what assistance they could at a time of great sorrow.
Mrs. Hawkes helped out around the family farm and enjoyed a full life.
A friend described her as a 'pillar' in the nearby Mayne Methodist Church, and said a lot of her work revolved around the church.
"Olive was treasurer for at least 14 years, and many a church meeting was held in her house," she said.
Mrs. Hawkes was also a member of the Methodist Women's Association and had been a long-serving member of Beragh, Women's Institute, and did the Press notes.
Her son said he could not believe what had happened.
"The person or people who did this will have to pay sometime. If it is not in this lifetime, it will be another," he said.
On Monday, Mark had visited the Short Family, near Gortaclare, Beragh, to share in their grief. That family had lost a wife and mother, Mrs Veda Short.
One Relative said that Mrs. Hawkes had been in Watterson's shop on Saturday and had been served by Mrs Short. Later both were tragically killed in the blast.
Mrs. Hawkes was buried in Cappagh Parish Churchyard yesterday (Wednesday) following a service in Mayne Church.
A WOMAN from Mountfield who had devoted most of her life to working with her local church was one of those who lost their lives.
Mrs. Elizabeth Olive Hawkes, who had lived at Fecarry Road, would have celebrated her 61st birthday tomorrow (Friday), and was looking forward to celebrating her ruby wedding anniversary this weekend.
But for her husband, Percy Hawkes, her son, Mark, daughter, Mandy, and son in-law, Mervyn Walker, there will be no birthday or wedding anniversary celebrations, only mourning at the loss of what one relative described as "a wonderful wife, a loving mother, and a lovely woman."
Relatives and friends in the Mayne area of Mountfield were rallying around the Hawkes family from Sunday, offering what assistance they could at a time of great sorrow.
Mrs. Hawkes helped out around the family farm and enjoyed a full life.
A friend described her as a 'pillar' in the nearby Mayne Methodist Church, and said a lot of her work revolved around the church.
"Olive was treasurer for at least 14 years, and many a church meeting was held in her house," she said.
Mrs. Hawkes was also a member of the Methodist Women's Association and had been a long-serving member of Beragh, Women's Institute, and did the Press notes.
Her son said he could not believe what had happened.
"The person or people who did this will have to pay sometime. If it is not in this lifetime, it will be another," he said.
On Monday, Mark had visited the Short Family, near Gortaclare, Beragh, to share in their grief. That family had lost a wife and mother, Mrs Veda Short.
One Relative said that Mrs. Hawkes had been in Watterson's shop on Saturday and had been served by Mrs Short. Later both were tragically killed in the blast.
Mrs. Hawkes was buried in Cappagh Parish Churchyard yesterday (Wednesday) following a service in Mayne Church.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0051
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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