POIGNANT VIST FOR ROMANIAN ORPHAN
Poignant vist for Romanian orphan
BY: HUGH McCUSKER
A Drumquin man who lost his wife in the Omagh bomb, welcomed a Romanian orphan back into his home with the memory of the woman she called her "Irish Mammy" still vibrant.
Twelve year old Andrea Cozac visited the grave of Philomena Skelton on Tuesday morning with Kevin Skelton and his four children.
Kevin said.
"Philomena thought the world of Andrea. She treated her as one of the family and so we felt it was only right that Andrea should see where Philomena is buried."
Andrea laid flowers and said a prayer at Philomena's grave which is across the road from the family home. The emotional moment reflected the desire of the Skelton family to maintain the link with Andrea.
Kevin Skelton said that it seemed important for Andrea to visit the grave at the start of her three week stay in order to help her comprehend what had happened to his wife.
He said, "I think it was important to get what was a very difficult moment out of the way so as that Andrea can enjoy her stay here." He added, "Andrea never said a word, she just stood there looking at the headstone. I think she only realises now that Mena is gone and is not coming back."
He said that Andrea would not be going to Market Street, the site of the devastating explosion last August. However, he said that Andrea was, "like a breath of fresh air for the whole family", adding that they were determined to make her stay as enjoyable as her previous visits.
BY: HUGH McCUSKER
A Drumquin man who lost his wife in the Omagh bomb, welcomed a Romanian orphan back into his home with the memory of the woman she called her "Irish Mammy" still vibrant.
Twelve year old Andrea Cozac visited the grave of Philomena Skelton on Tuesday morning with Kevin Skelton and his four children.
Kevin said.
"Philomena thought the world of Andrea. She treated her as one of the family and so we felt it was only right that Andrea should see where Philomena is buried."
Andrea laid flowers and said a prayer at Philomena's grave which is across the road from the family home. The emotional moment reflected the desire of the Skelton family to maintain the link with Andrea.
Kevin Skelton said that it seemed important for Andrea to visit the grave at the start of her three week stay in order to help her comprehend what had happened to his wife.
He said, "I think it was important to get what was a very difficult moment out of the way so as that Andrea can enjoy her stay here." He added, "Andrea never said a word, she just stood there looking at the headstone. I think she only realises now that Mena is gone and is not coming back."
He said that Andrea would not be going to Market Street, the site of the devastating explosion last August. However, he said that Andrea was, "like a breath of fresh air for the whole family", adding that they were determined to make her stay as enjoyable as her previous visits.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1285
Published Date: 22-Jul-99
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