Mrs. Martha Molloy

Mrs. Martha Molloy, who died on December 8, spent the last 11 years of her long and happy life in the Downpatrick area. She was 98.

Born Martha Murtagh on May 25, 1914, she was the youngest of 16 children and as a young girl would have walked to school through Dromantine.

She met her future husband, Thomas, when she went to work in Portadown. The couple married in 1941 and lived on a small farm at Aghacommon. Thomas died aged 46, after which Mrs. Molloy learned to drive. She enjoyed going back to Newry every Sunday to visit her brothers and sisters.

Mrs. Molloy went to work for the late Canon Joseph Pettit in Derrymacash and every Monday they would discuss gaelic football if Down were playing. Her brothers, Peter, Harry and James, were members of the Glen football team which Canon Pettit helped run.

Mrs. Molloy had a strong faith and loved attending 12 o’clock mass in Downpatrick, where she came to live with her daughter, Margaret, and family 11 years ago after suffering her first heart attack.

A very sociable lady, she attended the Crossgar prayer group, the local cardiac support group and was also involved with the local St. Vincent de Paul conference.

Mrs. Molloy travelled extensively and visited her daughter, Teresa, in Canada many times. She was also extremely generous to Third World and prison outreach charities.

Mrs. Molloy is survived by her six children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She had a great devotion to the mother of Jesus and it was appropriate that she passed away on the day of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Requiem mass was concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Brian Brown, Rev. Fr. Powell and Rev. Fr. Jordan. Fr. Brown, who was a great friend and support, was the chief celebrant.