Mrs. Sarah Helena McConville

MRS. Sarah Helena McConville (Ena) of Edgewater, South Promenade, Newcastle, passed away at Belfast City Hospital on December 30. She was aged 85.

Helen, as she was popularly known, was a mother, grandmother and devoted wife to the late Edward Patrick McConville.

Helen was born in Lurgan in 1928. She was the only daughter of five children. She married Edward in August 1959; they set up their first marital home in Rathfriland before moving to the Rosemount Road, Ballynahinch. After retirement 18 years ago Helen moved to Newcastle.

She took a keen interest in the lives of her family and grandchildren; she always looked forward to having them visit and come to stay with her. She also travelled to America to visit her daughters and grandchildren.

Helen learned to drive before she retired, thus enabling her to spend time with her daughters, Maura and Michelle, and their families in Bangor and Derry respectively. When she gave up driving she still enjoyed her family taking her out on day trips to visit her siblings, friends and family members.

Her retirement as a Nursing Auxiliary at Belvoir Park Hospital gave her the time to pursue her keen interest in gardening. She assisted her daughter, Maura, with her garden on a new development in Bangor; she loved attending to her garden at Edgewater.

She became friends with all her neighbours at Edgewater and was affectionately known to them all. Helen and her friend, Margaret Crozier, spent many afternoons in the local coffee shop and restaurant close to her home. She made many new friends over the 18 years that she spent there.  

Helen attended Mass on a daily basis at the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption Newcastle until October 2013. Her faithfulness to her beliefs was evidenced in a practical way by her generous support of the missions and the Society of St Vincent de Paul.

Helen was attended to by the carers of Lydian Care for the last few years at her home. She was admitted to the Downe Hospital, Downpatrick, in November; she was then transferred to the Belfast City Hospital where she sadly passed away following a short illness.

Helen’s Funeral Mass took place on Wednesday, January 1st at the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, Newcastle. The celebrant was Fr. Jim Crudden, PP, Newcastle. In his homily he spoke of Helen’s commitment to her faith as evidenced by her daily attendance at Mass. He described her as ‘selfless and generous in her time and support of the Church and her family’. He reflected on her dedicated and caring work with cancer patients in Belvoir Park.

The liturgical readers were Helen’s children and grandchildren. They also brought the Offertory Gifts to the altar. The hymns were sung by Andrea Rice who provided her own guitar accompaniment.

The interment was in St. Patrick’s graveyard, Ballynahinch where Helen was buried with her late husband, Edward. Fr Crudden officiated at the graveside.

Helen’s Months Mind Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, February 9, at 11.30am in the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Newcastle.     

Helen is survived by her children Helen (California), Eamon (Newcastle), Maura (Bangor), Michael (Ballynahinch), Michelle (Derry) and Diane (Colorado); grandchildren Kerri, Paul, Ashley, Ellen, Grace, Daniel, Thomas, Matthew and Bridget; sons-in- law Peter O’Neill, Kevin Roddy and Gerry Wray and daughter-in-law Diane McConville; brother Sean McConville (Burren), sisters-in-law Mary and Pauline McConville (Lurgan). She was predeceased by her father and mother Hugh and Ann McConville (Lurgan).