Mrs Rose Fitzsimons

MRS Rose Fitzsimons, of Downpatrick Street, Saintfield, who died recently, was a remarkable woman who spent all of her long and happy life in and around the Saintfield area. She was 99.

She was born on February 20, 1916, to Charles and Charlotte McCoubrey at Lisowen, Carsontown, where she lived until she married her late husband, John Fitzsimons, and moved to Ballymacaramery. 

At the end of the Second World War Rose and John moved to Leggygowan where they raised their family of one daughter, the late Colette Laverty, and two sons, Sean and the late Charles Fitzsimons. 

During the 1960s the family moved to 24 Downpatrick Street, Saintfield, where Rose remained until her death on April 14.

Rose worked as a shop assistant in Peg Stensons and Minnis Brothers shops in Saintfield during the early part of her life. Later, after raising her family, she worked as a ticket administrator at Rowallane Gardens until her retirement.

After her retirement she maintained a beautiful garden and was a fantastic baker, being famous around the country for her great soda and wheaten bread, as well as for her apple tarts.

She always had a smile on her face and everyone was welcome in Rose’s house. Nobody was ever allowed to leave her home without a cup of tea and a farl of soda bread.

Rose was a deeply religious lady who looked forward to her monthly visits from the Very Rev Fr Anthony McHugh, PP.

Her strong faith helped her through the deaths of her husband John on November 1, 1974, her son Charles on June 21, 2007, and her daughter Colette on April 22, 2008.

In her later years after her hip replacement at the young age of 94 her mobility was restricted and she grew to have a love of Coronation Street, Countdown and The Chase.

She raised her family in a warm, friendly and loving environment, which was evident when she died peacefully at home on April 14 with her son Sean by her 

bedside, along with her son-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family.

Requiem mass was held in Mary Mother of the Church, Saintfield, on April 17.