Mrs. Ruth Martin

THERE has been widespread sadness in the greater Newcastle area after the death of Mrs. Ruth Martin, former proprietor of the Maghera Riding Centre.

Mrs. Martin, who was 90, passed away peacefully at her home off the Cottage Road in Seaforde on January 6. A friendly, compassionate and resilient woman, she was very well known in the Maghera area, running the riding centre with her husband, Tom, and later with her daughter, Sandra.

She was born in Belfast on May 22, 1922, the third of five children, and after a happy childhood, went to work in McMullans Wholesale Chemists in the city. An early sign of her desire to help others came during the war when she joined the Women’s Royal Army Corps.

In 1948 she married Ballymartin man, Tom Martin, and the couple had two children, Sandra and Trevor. Tom joined the police and was stationed for many years in Caledon in Co. Armagh before being posted to Belfast.

In Belfast Ruth was a keen volunteer, working at the blood donation centre making tea and also at a women’s centre weighing babies. She was also President of the local Women’s’ Institute for several terms.

Tom’s retirement saw the couple moving to Maghera where his love of horses led to the acquisition of several horses and the setting up of Maghera Riding Centre. But not long after retirement Tom was diagnosed with lung cancer and passed away on July 12, 1974.

Ruth and Sandra threw themselves into continuing the business. Straddling the main road through the village, the centre became a mecca for horse riders, particularly during the summer when many young riders spent their days at the centre. Ruth’s friendly welcome was a constant at the centre down through the years as people came and went in the yard which she overlooked from her home.

Ruth was particularly delighted when Mrs. Jill Lindsay approached her with the idea of starting a local group of Riding for Disabled. This quickly grew to three groups riding weekly during term time and the big highlight for Ruth was the visit to a centre Christmas pageant by Princess Anne.

Despite the commitments of running a busy riding centre, Ruth always enjoyed accompanying Sandra to compete in dressage competitions across Ireland.

Trevor emigrated to Australia in 1988 and Ruth visited in 1994 where she met her two grandchildren Adam and Karl.

The riding centre closed down several years ago after severe flooding badly damaged the complex and Ruth and Sandra moved to Coach House Lane in Seaforde.

Over the years Ruth demonstrated great fortitude during her many visits to various hospitals. Throughout her medical difficulties Ruth displayed the utmost dignity through particularly challenging times.

Her funeral took place at Castlewellan Presbyterian Church with interment at the cemetery at Drumee.

She is survived by Sandra and Trevor, grandchildren Adam and Karl, sisters Betty (London) and Jean (Glasgow), brothers in law, Eddie and Robert Martin and her sister in law, Bertie Martin.