MRS Suzanne Ross, of Shanvally Way, Drumaness, passed away suddenly in the Downe Hospital on Good Friday, April 10, at the age of 75.
Like many others in these strange times, Suzie’s family faced the prospect of a send-off far removed from the funeral this special woman deserved.
However, Paul Killen, the son she adored, wasn’t prepared to accept that scenario.
His mother’s remains reposed in Rourkes’ funeral home in Downpatrick until Easter Sunday. From there the hearse would travel to Drumaness for what amounted to a lap of honour, before going to Ballynahinch for burial.
On Saturday night, via Facebook, Paul had asked mourners to line the streets, clapping as the hearse passed by, while maintaining social distancing. His wishes were carried out to the letter, but the coup-de-grace was yet to come.
To everyone’s shock the last part of the journey out of the estate was accompanied by a thunderous bang, followed by several volleys of fireworks. The well-kept secret probably wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea but Suzie had exited with a bang rather than a whimper and for those who knew her well it was a genius idea.
We often describe certain individuals as having no back doors in them. Well Suzie had no side doors either. What you saw was what you got.
I got to know Suzie when I married into Drumaness 37 years ago. She lived just around the corner and at some point became very friendly with my wife.
Suzie possessed a wicked sense of humour which tended to be on the irreverent side. Paul’s Facebook page was inundated with posts paying tribute to her and the word which cropped up most was ‘funny’.
Suzie and her first husband, Pat Killen, were unable to have children, so they decided to go down the adoption route. They took delivery of Paul in early 1978 when he was a baby.
The marriage ended when Paul was 13, but Suzie’s focus didn’t change — she doted on her son. He became a good friend of mine in later years and Suzie’s influence was clear to be seen. His personality was a carbon copy of his mum’s.
Suzie got married to Francie Ross 21 years ago. It was a marriage made in heaven. Francie is heartbroken and will need lots of support from friends in the tough times to come.
The Suzie we all knew was outgoing and funny but her generosity was less well known.
A few weeks ago with coronavirus beginning to take hold she rang our house to ask me if I would bring her some chicken products to fill her freezer. I did so and, as usual, when you did something for her there were a few extra pounds with the payment.
Material generosity is one thing but generosity of spirit is more rare and this was something she had in spades.
Paul’s birth mother had been trying to trace him for many years without success until a change in the law opened the door for her, enabling social services to ask Paul if he wanted to meet her.
He spoke first to Pat and Suzie, and with their blessing arranged to meet Audrey.
Some adoptive mothers could understandably feel threatened by this circumstance but not Suzie. Her generosity of spirit came to the fore, befriending Audrey, meeting up with her occasionally and exchanging phone calls regularly.
Suzie loved children and she played a huge part in bringing up Searcha, the daughter of her close friend, Michelle Roisseter. Searcha was the daughter she never had and was treated like one, while her children, Leilah and Coren, were in turn treated as grandchildren.
Suzie was delighted when Paul and his partner, Kerrie, welcomed Kaiden into the world. Needless to say he was the apple of her eye and while she has enjoyed 17 months of Kaiden, the great sadness is that she couldn’t have had many more years with him.
Every village in our small country has its own characters, people who somehow define everything that is good about village life.
Roly Hanna, Bonny Brown and Suzie have been lost to Drumaness in less than three weeks, three personalities who, in the eyes of many, comprise the top three characters in Drumaness.
In time others will take up their mantle, but in the meantime the Native American saying “No man dies who is still talked about” very much applies. These three will be talked about for a long time.
Donal Bell