Mrs Rita Polly

MRS Rita Polly (née Fitzsimons) passed away peacefully on July 13, 2016, at Downe Hospital surrounded by her beloved children and many of her grandchildren.

Rita was born in Vianstown, Downpatrick, on June 11 1927, the second youngest of 13 children to Bernard and Mary Fitzsimons. She was the last of her siblings to pass away.

Rita attended Convent of Mercy Primary School in Irish Street. In the 1940s, as a young girl, she left Downpatrick to work in London in the hospitality industry. On returning to Downpatrick, she met and married Willie Polly, from Strangford.

They proved to be a determined and hard working couple, starting and growing several businesses together, including the building firm, Polly Brothers, and the Abbey Lodge Hotel. 

Of utmost importance to Rita, however, was her family. She loved and delighted in her seven children — Angela, Gina, Brian, Colum, Rita, William and Kathleen. Rita’s 29 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren were frequent visitors to her warm and welcoming home where she made them feel special and valued.

She loved them all and never forgot a birthday or special event. 

Growing up at Vianstown, at the edge of Downpatrick racecourse, horse racing was always a feature of Rita’s early life. She went on to own several racehorses and had good successes in Ireland and across the UK.  

Rita was a skilled gardener and also became well known locally for her excellent baking.

She was a past lady captain of St. Patrick’s Golf Club, Downpatrick, as well as lady captain of the club’s bowling section where she played regularly. 

She loved to travel and explore. She enjoyed her foreign holidays as much as her many outings to Slieve Croob and Clanvaraghan parish, where her mother came from, or her many excursions around the Lecale area where she was interested in genealogy and local history. 

Throughout Willie’s short illness and untimely death in 1992, it was Rita’s strong faith and supportive family that enabled her to cope with the sad parting after 41 years of marriage. 

Rita’s passing is a huge loss to her entire family circle, but they take comfort in the wonderful memories she created for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Rita will be sorely missed, but lovingly remembered.