Mrs. Elizabeth McNeilly

THE passing of Mrs. Elizabeth McNeilly at her home in Fountain Street, Downpatrick, on June 2, has been widely mourned. She was 84.

Mrs. McNeilly (née Rodgers), who was known to all as Lily, was the last surviving member of her family, having been predeceased by her mother, father, four brothers and two sisters.

Her first husband, Thomas McKeever, whom she married aged 18, died in 1964 at the age of 40, leaving her with eight children and pregnant with a ninth, who was born three months later. With her second husband, Francie, she would have two more children.

Mrs. McNeilly’s family was her life. She adored her children, her 41 grandchildren and over 40 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her two eldest children.

She is survived by her daughters Isobel, Eileen and Martina, sons Thomas, Patrick, Andrew, Eugene, Martin and Frank.

Canon Sean Rogan conducted the requiem mass in St. Patrick’s Church, Downpatrick, on Tuesday, June 5. Interment was at Struell Cemetery.