JOY OF NEW BIRTH CUT SHORT BY GRANDMOTHER'S UNTIMELY DEATH
Joy of new birth cut short by grandmother's untimely death
A FAMILY living near Beragh experienced the contrast in joy and tragedy last week.
Mrs. Veda Elizabeth Short, who lived at Moylagh Road, Gortaclare, was one of those who died at the scene of the bomb blast.
A few days earlier, along with her family, she had been celebrating the birth of another grandchild.
The baby was born to her daughter, Elain, who now lives in Greyabbey. She discharged herself from hospital on hearing the news about her mother.
Mrs. Short's only son, Ian, had found his mother lying in the rubble. He managed to stop a car and get her to hospital shortly after the explosion, but she was already dead.
Mrs. Short, who was 56, was married with four children. Her husband, William, her daughters, Frances, Elain and Alison, and her son, Ian, are being comforted by relatives and family friends on Sunday, and they had received support from neighbours and friends through the week.
Mrs. Short was one of three members of staff from Watterson's shop at High Street, who were killed in the blast. A fourth member of staff was still seriously ill in Altnagelvin Hospital on Wednesday.
One neighbour said: "Everyone knew Veda. She worked in Watterson's. You went in and no matter what you asked for she was able to take you straight to where the item was and help you out."
She continued: " There was always a smile waiting for customers and anyone she knew always got a cheery hello no matter where you met her."
The neighbour said the family, like other families through the district, were devastated at the tragic loss.
"The family will never really get over this. We will never forget it either, but it is easier for us to pick up the pieces and get on with it," she said.
Rev. Alban Rankin, former minister of Seskinore Presbyterian Church, visited the home on Monday.
Now a minister in Ballymoney, Mr. Rankin said he, like everyone, thought they had seen an end to mindless murders with the deaths of the Quinn brothers in July.
"I did not imagine I would be down here for something as tragic as this," he said.
Mrs. Short's husband said he had been heartened by visits of two other families who had been bereaved.
"Members of the Grimes family at Beragh and the son of Mrs. Hawkes called to sympathise. We are all united in our grief. It was a lovely and kind gesture," he added.
Her funeral service was to Seskinore Presbyterian Church yesterday afternoon (Wednesday).
A FAMILY living near Beragh experienced the contrast in joy and tragedy last week.
Mrs. Veda Elizabeth Short, who lived at Moylagh Road, Gortaclare, was one of those who died at the scene of the bomb blast.
A few days earlier, along with her family, she had been celebrating the birth of another grandchild.
The baby was born to her daughter, Elain, who now lives in Greyabbey. She discharged herself from hospital on hearing the news about her mother.
Mrs. Short's only son, Ian, had found his mother lying in the rubble. He managed to stop a car and get her to hospital shortly after the explosion, but she was already dead.
Mrs. Short, who was 56, was married with four children. Her husband, William, her daughters, Frances, Elain and Alison, and her son, Ian, are being comforted by relatives and family friends on Sunday, and they had received support from neighbours and friends through the week.
Mrs. Short was one of three members of staff from Watterson's shop at High Street, who were killed in the blast. A fourth member of staff was still seriously ill in Altnagelvin Hospital on Wednesday.
One neighbour said: "Everyone knew Veda. She worked in Watterson's. You went in and no matter what you asked for she was able to take you straight to where the item was and help you out."
She continued: " There was always a smile waiting for customers and anyone she knew always got a cheery hello no matter where you met her."
The neighbour said the family, like other families through the district, were devastated at the tragic loss.
"The family will never really get over this. We will never forget it either, but it is easier for us to pick up the pieces and get on with it," she said.
Rev. Alban Rankin, former minister of Seskinore Presbyterian Church, visited the home on Monday.
Now a minister in Ballymoney, Mr. Rankin said he, like everyone, thought they had seen an end to mindless murders with the deaths of the Quinn brothers in July.
"I did not imagine I would be down here for something as tragic as this," he said.
Mrs. Short's husband said he had been heartened by visits of two other families who had been bereaved.
"Members of the Grimes family at Beragh and the son of Mrs. Hawkes called to sympathise. We are all united in our grief. It was a lovely and kind gesture," he added.
Her funeral service was to Seskinore Presbyterian Church yesterday afternoon (Wednesday).
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0069
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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