Mrs Jean Kirk

THE death has taken place of Mrs Jean Kirk, from Shrigley. She was 84.

Born on March 21, 1934, in Ravara, she was the second child of Janet and Andrew Hanna and sister of Will and Sidney.

Always hard working, Mrs Kirk kept busy and was always helping and making time for others. A seamstress in her early years, she was fabulous at knitting, sewing, embroidery and dressmaking.

Full of enthusiasm and a real people person, she loved chatting and cracking jokes.

She married her husband Harold in 1953 at Newtownbreda Church and the couple were to have eight children, seven boys and a girl, whom they adored.

Sadly, their son Alistair died aged only 20 months and his passing was a devastating blow to the couple and family unit.

A loving wife, Mrs Kirk lost her husband in November 2016. She missed him greatly and life was never the same for her afterwards.

Mrs Kirk was a regular attender at Second Killyleagh Presbyterian Church and had many friends in a number of groups, including the PWA and Craft Ladies. She always helped decorate the church for the annual Harvest Thanksgiving.

A very creative person, Mrs Kirk always looked amazing and opened her business, The Salad Bowl, in High Street where people in the town loved to call in for a friendly chat. Always smiling and joking with her customers, Mrs Kirk spent many happy times at her business.

Her family meant the world to her and every Tuesday during her craft class, Mrs Kirk brought the ladies up to date with all the latest news and what her children and grandchildren were up to.

She loved them all dearly as they did her and was granny to a lot of children, known affectionately as Granny Jean.

Mrs Kirk loved her rings and necklaces, and always buying new pieces to add to her collection. She was a generous person to everyone and will be greatly missed in Killyleagh.

The respect and affection in which she was held was evident at her large funeral service on Friday, March 9, at Second Killyleagh Presbyterian Church.

Mrs Kirk is survived by her children, Harold, Sandra, Ronnie, Elvis, Philip, Sidney and Mervyn, grandchildren, great grandchildren, her brothers, Will and Sidney Hanna, and the family circle.

The Kirk family appreciate all the kindness shown to them at this difficult time and are overwhelmed be people’s thoughtfulness.