Mrs Sarah Anne (Sally) Woodrow

THE death of Mrs Sarah Anne (Sally) Woodrow last Thursday, 26th November, at the age of 92 has evoked much sadness in the Saintfield area and further afield.

She was the much loved and highly respected wife of the late Canon Norman Woodrow, the fondly remembered former Vicar of Saintfield, who passed away in December, 1998.

Mrs Woodrow was ideally suited to her role as a clergyman’s wife. A teacher before her marriage, she was gentle, considerate and very kind. The parishioners of Saintfield were part of her extended family and she was a huge support to her husband.

She was born Sarah Anne King at Dunanelly, near Downpatrick, on January 16, 1923, and was the second youngest of eleven children. She was educated at Inch Public Elementary School and later at Down High School, from where she won a King’s Scholarship to undergo teacher training at Stranmillis College in Belfast. Her first teaching position was at the Southwell Boys’ School in Downpatrick and she later took up a post at Malone Primary School in Belfast.

She had a very strong religious faith from an early age and worshipped with her family at Inch Parish Church where she became the Sunday School Superintendent. It was in this role that she met her future husband, who was then a curate at St John’s Parish Church in Newcastle. The couple married on September 7, 1954 and moved to Pitsea, Basildon in Essex where Rev. Woodrow had been appointed rector.

The couple returned to Northern Ireland in the early 1960s with their three young children and in 1964 Rev. Woodrow was appointed Vicar of Saintfield, a position he would hold for the next 29 years.

Mrs Woodrow immersed herself in all aspects of parish life, including the Mothers’ Union. The Vicarage became a home from home for many parishioners, including children who benefited from her teaching talents and were given a helping hand with their homework.

A loving wife and mother, she took great delight in the achievements of her own children and, later, her grandchildren. 

Canon Woodrow’s sudden death 17 years ago, after 44 years of marriage, was a heavy blow, but she bore it with her characteristic fortitude and continued to live a full and active life until very recently. She passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family.

The esteem in which Mrs Woodrow was held was exemplified by the huge attendance at her funeral in Saintfield Parish Church on Sunday. The church was filled to overflowing and the service was relayed to other mourners in the nearby Woodrow Room in the church hall.

In a moving tribute, Mrs Woodrow’s elder daughter, Jillian, said her mother had a strong faith, adored her family and kept her radiant smile to the end. She quoted from CS Lewis: “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”

The Rev Chris Pollock, who conducted the service, said Saintfield Parish Church played a major part in Mrs. Woodrow’s life and that the parish and the Saintfield community were part of her family.

Following the service, Mrs Woodrow was laid to rest with her late husband in the adjoining churchyard.

The sympathy of the community is extended to her children, Jillian (Barnes), David and Heather, daughter-in-law Elaine, son-in-law Michael and grandchildren Michael, Jayne and Andrew.