Mrs. Violet Smyth

MRS. Violet Smyth, of 14 Jordanstown, Clough, who has died aged 69, was a retired nursing assistant at the Downshire Hospital.

Mrs. Smyth was the daughter of the late James and Elizabeth Brown. She was born in the townland of Ballylough, but the family later moved to Grangewalls near Downpatrick.

Educated at Ballee School, she started her working career as a cook at the Downe Hospital before becoming a nursing assistant at the Downshire Hospital where she was held in very high esteem by her colleagues.

She lived with her mother at Grangewalls before marrying John Smyth in 1972. The couple set up home together at Jordanstown, Clough, but separated and divorced after a number of years.

Mrs. Smyth suffered from ill health in her later years, especially from rheumatoid arthritis which left her largely housebound. Even so, she had a number of interests and loved animals, especially cats.

Mrs. Smyth was admitted to the Downe Hospital on March 30 and was transferred to the intensive care unit at the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, where she died on Tuesday, April 3.

The Rev. Maurice Stewart conducted the funeral service in Clough Presbyterian Church on April 6 after which she was laid to rest in Drumee Cemetery.

Mrs. Smyth is survived by her sisters, Mrs. Annie Kelly (Annsborough), Mrs. Lil Campbell (Ballylough) and Mrs. Ruth McKee (Carryduff), and by her brother, Norman (Crossgar).

She was predeceased by her parents, brothers Ernie, Victor and Vernon, and by her sister, Mrs. Amelia Craig.