Former principal is humbled by award

Former principal is humbled by award

15 June 2016

A DOWNPATRICK woman says she feels “humble and overwhelmed” to be recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Retired primary school head teacher Mary Stewart was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to the community in Downpatrick.

Mary says she has been inundated with messages of good will since the honours list was announced on Friday night.

As well as her unwavering commitment to education, Mary has been a steadfast member of First Downpatrick (Non-Subscribing) Presbyterian Church, having served as church secretary for the past 25 years and as a Sunday school teacher for 31 years.

She has also been involved in the Guiding movement for most of her life, beginning from the age of seven when she joined the Brownie group at Down High School’s prep department. She went on to lead Brownie and Ranger groups in Downpatrick and was a district commissioner and divisional commissioner.

A keen author, she wrote a history of the First Downpatrick congregation in 2011 and is currently writing the third in a trilogy of books on her family — a family which she credits for much of what she has achieved.

She grew up on the family farm at Marshallstown, outside Downpatrick, where she learned from an early age the importance of duty.

“We were encouraged to do our bit and to help others,” she said. “We cycled to and from school every day and we were encouraged to do our best.”

“I feel very humble to receive this award. It is a great honour and I would like to thank the people who nominated me and all those who I have worked with down the years.

“You don’t get something like this by yourself. I am grateful to so many people, including my parents, my headmaster at Down High School, Mr Arthur Fowweather, my teaching colleagues and church and Guide leaders for their support.

“I accept this on behalf of everyone who has worked with me or allowed me to be a part of their lives.”

To mark the honour, a small presentation was made to Mary at First Downpatrick Church on Sunday morning.

The Rev Dr David Steers, church minister, said it was an “expression of thanks for the tremendous amount of work Mary has done for her church and her community.”

“Everyone in the church is delighted that she has been given this richly deserved award,” Dr Steers added.