Mrs. Jean Blair

JEAN Blair died on October 14 just a few weeks short of her 92nd birthday.

One of eight children, she was born and reared at Tievenadarragh near Seaforde. She was the eldest child but her mother died when Jean was only 11 years old so she know about hardship and loss from an early age.

During the war years she cycled each day to and from Ballykinler army camp where she managed the NAAFI.

In 1946 she married Robert and moved to Tullymurry where she reared their three daughters, Jennifer, Allison and Rachael. Robert died, all too young, in 1980 and from then till quite recently she carried on alone at Tullymurry.

She was a devoted and diligent member of Loughinisland Parish Church and an expert baker and cook. She was a very talented seamstress and made all her children’s clothes when they were young.

Jean Blair took all that life threw at her with calm and dignity; indeed the old wartime poster, which has become popular again, Keep Calm and Carry On, could have been written for her.

In failing health she moved first to Abbeyfields in Downpatrick and latterly to Kings Castle in Ardglass. In both she was settled, happy and popular.

She is survived by, and missed by, her three daughters, seven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.