Mrs. Agnes Victoria Hamilton

THE death has occurred on April 18 of Mrs. Agnes Victoria Hamilton of 97 Ballydugan Road, Downpatrick, who passed away after a short illness, at the Downe Hospital. She was 92.

Widely known as Queenie, she was born on September 1st, 1919, the first child of Mark and Helena Victoria Stratford and was brought up in Ballynahinch and Downpatrick.

Queenie was among the first enrolment of pupils at Down High School in 1933 and excelled in French, music and domestic science. As a young girl she worshipped at Down Parish Church where she was a Sunday School teacher. She had a strong Christian faith which she followed all of her life and portrayed this through her living example and deeds.

In November 1947, she married local farmer, Albert Hamilton, in Down Cathedral and set up home in the townland of Ballyclander, before moving in 1952 to the townland of Cargagh, where her husband built a bungalow commanding a majestic view of the Mourne Mountains where she remained for the rest of her life.

When her husband Albert passed away in October 1993, Queenie remained at the farm and, with the love and support of her family and friends, continued to reside there up until six weeks ago, when she suffered a severe stroke.

Queenie was happy in her country environment and had a love of all animals and nature. She was an avid reader and was very knowledgeable, keeping up-to-date on current and world affairs. She loved watching showjumping and quiz programmes on television, especially those with word and mathematical elements.

Her five grandchildren, Stuart, Kyle, Catriona, Lynsey and Jamie brought her great happiness as she watched and followed them as they matured into adulthood. She was overjoyed with the arrival in recent years of her three great-grandchildren, Lauren, Lucas and Rhys.

The funeral service at Downpatrick Presbyterian Church was conducted by 

the Rev. D. Edwards and the Rev. R. E. Boggs, with interment in the adjoining graveyard.

Queenie, she is survived by her son Albert and daughter-in-law Isabell (Newcastle), daughter Helen and son-in-law Jim (Newtownards); grandsons Stuart and wife Lynsey (Australia), Kyle and wife Glaucia, and Jamie; granddaughters Catriona and Lynsey; great-grandchildren Lauren and Rhys (Australia) and Lucas. Also brothers Hugh (New Zealand) and Mark and sister-in-law Miriam (Belfast) and many nephews and nieces.