christian burial
'I am the Resurrection and the Life' says the Lord
2024
Elizabeth Mitchell
20th November 2024
Elizabeth, wife of the late Jimmy, mother of Colin, Sandra and Robert and grandmother of Shannon, Sophia and Thomas, and great-grandmother to Nirvana, died at home after a short illness on Tuesday 12th November. A funeral service was held for her at James Brown Funeral Home on Wednesday 20th November followed by a burial along with her husband Jimmy’s ashes in Carnmoney Cemetery. Betty (as she was known by everyone) was born and brought up in Belfast and was the middle of three children: her brother John and sister Sadie. She attended Glenwood School, but when war broke out, she went to live in Aldergrove with her aunt, going to school there for a while, a time which she really loved. On leaving school she worked in McCarley’s Outfitters on the Shankill Road but gave up work after her marriage to Jimmy in 1952 at Trinity College Mission Church. After living with her parents for a short time, they moved into their own house in Snugville Street just off the Shankill Road. Tragically, their first child Maureen died after a few weeks but in the years that followed three more children, Colin, Sandra and Robert were born, and whist Jimmy worked as a cabinet maker, Betty ran the home and looked after the family. Betty loved children to such an extent that she took up fostering in the 1970s, providing a loving home to twelve babies. The family also had a caravan in Millisle which became the base for many family holidays and weekends away. In 2006 Betty had to cope with both losing her husband Jimmy and also moving house to Inniscoole Park, but in the years that followed, she enjoyed really good health, spending her time caring for all members of her family and looking after various cats which she took into her home. After a fall at home though, she ended up in hospital where a mass on her lung was discovered. She returned home for nine days before dying peacefully in bed on Tuesday 12th November. Our prayers are with her family at this sad time.
Brian Walker
14th November 2024
Brian, husband to the late Ruth, father of Linda and Diane, grandfather of Paul, Aaron and Danielle and great-grandfather of Oliver, Noah and Freya passed away in Antrim Hospital after a short illness. A funeral service was held at his graveside in Greenland Cemetery in Larne, where his wife Ruth was buried. Brian was originally from Larne and was brought up there with his younger brother and sister, Norman and Dorothy. During his childhood he was a great badminton player and also a member, and then a leader, in the Boys’ Brigade. He went to school, and then Tech, before getting a job on the Larne Docks with Container Way and Road Ferry, but soon after met his wife-to-be one Saturday afternoon in Woolworths. Both were seventeen at the time. Eventually, they were married in Gardenmore Presbyterian Church, Larne, on 5th September 1963, and following Brian’s promotion they moved to Church Crescent which was to remain their home throughout their marriage. In the years that followed, their two daughters, Linda and Diane, were born, and although he used to work hard, Brian loved nothing better than returning home to be with his family and making the most of his weekends through regular visits to the Antrim coast, various forest parks and Larne to visit both sets of parents. In later years Brian also worked in the Grand Opera House and B&Q before retiring. He was devastated when Ruth’s health failed and she needed to move into Ben Madigan Nursing Home, dying two years later. Throughout his life he remained in good health but after a short illness and time in hospital he passed away on Monday 12th November. Our prayers are with all his family at this sad time.
Jack Totten
1st November 2024
Jack, husband of the late Audrey, father of Alison, David and Beverley, grandfather of Nicholas, Jacob, Reuben, Ryan, Louie, Megan and Kerry and great-grandfather of Kali and Lottie died suddenly after a short illness in Antrim Hospital on Tuesday 23rd October. A funeral service for him was held at Carnmoney Parish Church on Friday 1st November followed by a cremation at Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Crematorium. Jack was born and brought up in Avonbeg Street in Belfast and was the second youngest of six brothers and sisters. His early years coincided with the outbreak of war and he was evacuated to Tandragee where he lived with a granny he had never met, before returning to Belfast as a ten year-old. He went to the Boys Model School but left when he was fourteen to work with his dad in the family trade, selling radios. Other jobs followed and it was at one of them that he met his wife-to-be Audrey. They were married in the late 1950s before moving to their new house in Greenhill Gardens, and in the years after, their children Alison, Beverley and David were born. Some years later the family had to cope with the tragedy of Beverley’s death in Canada through which, amazingly, Jack was able to keep his faith and continued to attend Carnmoney Parish Church. In later years he developed strong relationships with all his grandchildren, and later, great-grandchildren. Having celebrated sixty years of marriage and received their Royal letter, Jack broke his back and after time in hospital ended up in Glenabbey Care Home and then Carrick Manor. During this time he had to cope with Audrey’s death and also deteriorating health, but through it all, he maintained his sense of humour and loved the visits from his family. He will be badly missed by them and also members of our church and our prayers are with Jack’s family at this time.
Elizabeth Hanley
4th October 2024
Elizabeth, beloved wife of the late Ed Hanley, much loved mother of Nicholas and Timothy, mother-in-law of Maria and Jennifer, loving Grandmother of Andrew, Marcus, Ellen and Euan, died peacefully in hospital on 26th September. A service of thanksgiving for a life well lived was held in Antrim and Newtownabbey Crematorium on 4th October.Â
Born on 14th April 1936 to John and Edith Hewitt, she was the eldest of three children, having two brothers, John and Billy. Although separated geographically, they kept in touch regularly and she is survived by her brother Billy in Canada. A clever girl, she left school with her leaving certificate and quickly got a job in the General Post Office, ending up in the main office in Belfast. She made many lifelong friends working there and thoroughly enjoyed her job. It was here that she met the love of her life, Ed Hanley. They were married by Canon Quinn in St Patrick’s Church on the Newtownards Road in March 1955. That was the beginning of their travelling and they travelled extensively in Europe until their first son Nicholas was born and then their second son Timothy. Elizabeth took a great interest in her sons’ education and was very proud of her boys, and later her grandchildren, and loved to share news of their escapades and show the latest photographs. Family life was everything to her. In her earlier years she had been an active member of the Mothers’ Union and always enjoyed news of the church and the visits of clergy and pastoral visitors. She loved a good chat, be it with the girls in Tesco, her neighbours, or her many friends and family. Elizabeth was a people person and will be much missed by friends and family and we commend them to your thoughts and prayers.
Maurice Purvis
24th July 2024
Maurice, husband to Eileen and father to Billy and Kathy, passed away in the Royal Victoria Hospital having suffered a heart attack on Monday 15th July. A funeral service was held for him at Antrim and Newtownabbey Crematorium on Wednesday 24th July at which his granddaughter Sarah and friend Willy Finlay both gave tributes. Originally from Dundalk, Maurice moved with his family to Osterley Park in Glengormley when he was 17 years old and worked at Sarah Lord’s, playing also for their football team. He met his wife to be, Eileen, at a dance in the Orpheus and they were married in St Anne’s Parish Church Finaghy on 2nd June 1962 and soon after their children Billy and then Kathy were born. After a spell working and living in Bangor the family returned to Glengormley where he began a new job as Collections Manager with the Bank of Ireland. One day in 1973, his son Billy asked Maurice if he could start up a football team for him and his mates and Maurice became the founder of Carnmoney Colts, which today is still a thriving club with many teams, awarding the Maurice Purvis trophy in memory of him at their awards ceremony every year. Maurice was to remain involved with the Colts for many years, indeed football remained his main interest throughout his life, although he also loved watching other sports on television. In later years Maurice enjoyed the visits from his grandchildren, and also his great granddaughter Mia Rose, and his face always lit up when they visited, or when he talked about them. Nine years ago Maurice moved into St Brigid’s Fold and at first played a large part in the life of the Fold, however his health suffered and eventually he lost the use of his legs and became confined to his flat. Nevertheless, he remained content and cheerful and loved visits from both his family and church members, always giving them a good welcome. He was content and as well as he had ever been for a number of years, which is why his sudden death was such a shock to us all. He will be sadly missed and our prayers are with his family at this sad time.Â
Helen Gault
24th June 2024
Helen, beloved wife of the late William Gault, much loved mother of Heather and David, mother-in-law of Deborah, loving grandmother of Jennifer and partner Ainsley, Rachel and husband Chris, Andrew and wife Bronagh and great grandmother of James, Beth, James, Zach, Georgia and Cooper, passed away in the Mater Hospital, surrounded by her family. A service of thanksgiving was held in church on Monday 24th June, followed by interment in Carnmoney Main Cemetery. Helen was one of six children born on 29th December 1932 in Court Street, Belfast. After leaving the Girls Model, Helen took up employment in the Co-op, firstly at local level and then the main store. She met and married a childhood friend from the neighbourhood, Billy Gault, in April 1956. Married in St Mary’s, her home church on the Crumlin Road, Billy and Helen brought up their two children, Heather and David, in their first family home in Elmfield Road. Helen loved to knit, cook and bake; she was famous for her wheaten bread, fruit brack and assorted jams and marmalade. The children helping out, in autumn picking blackberries, in summer gooseberries. They loved away days with the children, and most weekends there would be a trip to Portrush, Castlerock or Newcastle. Later in their life together they loved to travel with friends and family visiting Reykjavik in Iceland, where they bumped into parishioners Anne and Robert. Nice in France, where sister May managed to get lost! Lots of happy memories captured on celluloid by Billy, an ardent and talented photographer. Helen had a long and happy association with the Parish Church, being an active supporter and helper of many church activities and a loyal member of the Mothers’ Union. Sadly, in her very early twenties, a great tragedy befell Heather, and Helen, Billy and David (then eighteen) moved into Heather’s home in Ballyhenry Avenue to look after her, and on occasions their granddaughter Jennifer. Family life was everything to Helen and Billy and they spent many years happily looking after grandchildren and great-grandchildren, eventually moving to the bungalow on the Antrim Road. She and Billy shared nearly sixty years together before he passed away in June 2015. In 2020 Helen herself, in failing health, moved into Glenabbey and spent almost three happy years there. She loved all the activities and the company and would sing along to the hymns when the parish visited for their monthly service. Family, friends and faith were everything to Helen, and we commend them all to your support and loving prayers.
Maureen Botha
18th June 2024
Maureen passed away peacefully on the 12th June. Beloved wife of the late Wally, much loved mother of Anne and mother-in-law of Mike, dearest sister of Fred and sister-in-law of Katherine. A Service of thanksgiving was held in Newtownabbey Crematorium on Tuesday 18th June, officiated by Rev. Carol Harvey. Born in December 1927, Maureen was one of six children, brother Fred, the only remaining sibling, now in his 90’s. Leaving school at  fourteen with secretarial certificates, Maureen’s first job was in the office at the Co-op, her last job was book-keeper in a Belfast solicitor’s where her skills were highly valued as being on a par with an accountant. Sadly her first marriage did not last, and not long after Anne was born, her husband went to England to find work and never returned. It was hard, but with the help of family and friends Maureen got a home together and did a wonderful job parenting Anne. Emphasising the value of education, she was proud when Anne got her degree in teaching and also a qualification in psychology. Happily, later in life Maureen found love again and married Wally, a chief catering officer for Shell, working on the tankers. She travelled with him in married quarters all over the world. She was a sociable and attractive lady and made many friends, always ready to listen to the stories of others and to share her stories too. When Wally retired they took up golf, playing all over Ireland on different courses. Although a late starter, she won trophies for ladies competitions, which joined the dance trophies on her shelf! Passionate about dogs, in later life, she and Anne had many day trips together, taking dogs on beach walks and dining out, trying out different restaurants. Everywhere she went, Maureen had great conversations with new people and was well known in her own neighbourhood of Merville, walking the dog three times a day, stopping for chats on the way. Later she took up art, attending a class in Newtownabbey College, and then bridge. She didn’t stop driving until she was ninety! In her final years she was able to stay at home with the help of family, carers, and Sharon from the parish. Sadly a sudden illness in January 2022 left her unable to live alone, and she moved into Jordanstown Care home where she was well looked after until she passed away aged 96. We thank God for her long life, lived courageously. We commend her daughter and son-in-law to your thoughts and prayers.
Colin Charles Frederick Larkham
8th June 2024
Colin, beloved husband of Irene, much loved father of Alan, Angela and Sarah, father-in-law of Ciaran, loving grandfather of Sean, Conor, Colm, Sophie, Charlotte and great-grandfather of Connell, died peacefully at home on 5th June. A service of thanksgiving for his life was held in church, followed by interment in Carnmoney East cemetery. Born on 22nd April 1937 to Charles and Doris Larkham, Colin was the eldest of two boys, his younger brother Lenny was in attendance at the funeral. When he was of age, Colin was called up to do his national service where he joined the Military Police. It was here that he acquired his great love and knowledge of motor vehicles. He was the proud possessor of an iconic BSA Gold Star racer, which he only sold in recent years, having refurbished it to near new condition and at last admitting he wouldn’t ride it again. After National Service Colin joined the firm Blue Circle, a family tradition, and that is how he came to County Antrim - joining Blue Circle in Magheramorne, taking up the position of Senior Works Engineer. It was here he was to meet and marry Irene and they had many happy years together. Retiring young due to a serious heart condition, Colin would not take retirement lying down, and he remained active working to his own schedule. Known by many as Mr Fixit, Colin was generous with his time and effort, doing repair jobs on anything electrical for friends and neighbours. He was great fun, well organised and not frivolous. He passed on his plumbing and electrical skills to his grandchildren. Being a war baby, Colin had a great interest and knowledge of the war, especially growing up around London, and as each of his children and grandchildren came along Colin was conscripted into the class room and was a popular visitor telling of his experiences to the children in the local primary schools. A wonderful scrapbook compiled by his nephew Brian when at school, gives testimony to his life and interests.  An active and integral part of family life, Colin will be much missed by his family and friends, and we commend them to your thoughts and prayers.
Anne Adams
10th May 2024
Anne, wife of the late Colin and mother to Gavin and Julie, passed away unexpectedly in Antrim Area Hospital on Wednesday 1st May. A funeral service was held for her in Carnmoney Parish Church on Friday 10th May, followed by her burial in Carnmoney Cemetery.
Anne was brought up with her younger sister Edith, on Mountcollyer Road, where the family attended St Paul’s Church nearby. During the war she and Edith were evacuated to Guildford in England but returned to Belfast where Anne started at Mountcollyer Grove Primary School when she was six. Soon after, she also joined the junior choir at St Paul’s, even though she couldn’t sing! Jobs were to follow at Northern Publishing Stationary Shop, Cotter’s Kitchen Restaurant and Cyril Lord’s carpet shop before she met Colin at a dance in the Floral Hall. They were married on 17th June 1966, moving up to Glengormley and into a house in Harmin Drive for a few months before moving into their new home on the Mountainvale Road, a place that remained Anne’s home ever since. And in the years that followed, Anne stopped working, becoming a full-time mother as Gavin and then Julie were born, and Anne set about supporting them enjoying her role as a homemaker.
Over the years, she and the family also enjoyed a number of holidays abroad as well as days out in Northern Ireland, and Anne was always the one behind all the organising of such trips. Throughout her life, she enjoyed music and dancing and also shopping trips and will be remembered by everyone as a kind and generous woman who always thought of others.
In 2015, at a time when she herself was ill in hospital, her husband, Colin, died suddenly from a stroke, and Anne had to return to an empty home. She missed him these last nine years but continued to enjoy her shopping trips out with Gavin on a regular basis. Although beginning to fail, her unexpected death is untimely. She will be missed and our prayers are with her family at this sad time.
Jacqueline Crawford-Murray
2nd May 2024
Jacqueline (known as Jackie), wife to Tommy and mother of Marcus, Darren and Stephen, died after a stay in both the Royal and City Hospitals, passing away in the early hours of Thursday 25th April. A funeral service was held for her in Carnmoney Parish Church on Thursday 2nd May, followed by a cremation at Antrim and Newtownabbey Crematorium.
Jackie was the fourth youngest of five children and was brought up in the old schoolhouse at the end of Church Road. Her father Jack being the sexton at Carnmoney, right from an early age, Jackie was involved in helping him out in jobs around the church, which included cleaning, stoking the fire and polishing the silver, ready for Sunday services. She went to school at Glengormley Primary and then Greymount but left at fifteen to join her sister Hennie, working in the hairdressers on Farmley Road in Glengormley. She met and married her first husband, also called Jackie, in 1970, and in the years that followed, their three sons, Marcus, Darren and Stephen, were born. Unfortunately the marriage didn’t last, and Jackie went to live and work in Monkstown, however some time later she met Tommy in Whitehouse Working Men’s Club. They were married in 1997, having moved in to Jackie’s dream house, 6 Lacken Way, a place that she quickly re-designed and made her own.
In the years that followed, she and Tommy enjoyed a number of foreign holidays but were never happier than when they were boating and people watching during their times with the boys on Lough Erne in Fermanagh. Jackie enjoyed a number of hobbies, including knitting and reading and also loved her soaps, and everyone knew not to visit when they were on TV. In her later years, Jackie did experience a number of health issues, including a massive heart attack in 2017 which she surprised everyone by recovering from. However after stays in hospital from Christmas onwards, she finally passed away peacefully surrounded by all her family. Our prayers are with them at this sad time.
Kathleen Morrison
25th April 2024
Kathleen or Kate, devoted wife of over sixty years to Jim and mother to Jacqueline and Jim, died after a short illness in the Mater hospital on 18th April. A funeral service was held for her at Carnmoney Parish Church on Thursday 25th April followed by a cremation at Antrim and Newtownabbey Crematorium. Kathleen was the oldest of eight children, and although born in Kent, spent most of her childhood between Moira and the lower Shankil Road. She attended Hemsworth Street School before beginning work at Hall’s Brush Factory in Brown’s Square. She and her husband-to-be Jim met on a blind date, set up by a mutual friend when Kate was only sixteen, and within a year they were married in St Stephen’s Church, their daughter Jacqueline being born a year later. Six years later their son Jim was born, completing the family. In 1972 they moved to Glengormley, settling well into their new community, and Kate returned to work once the children were old enough, enjoying jobs in various places. She loved her home and was gifted in design and wallpapering, and often Jim would return home to find that a room had been redecorated and rearranged. Kate loved reading and her music, and in later years, she and Jim developed a love for foreign travel, visiting Italy, France and America. She had found the Covid years very difficult due to suffering with C.O.P.D. and lost a lot of confidence as a result and sadly contracted pneumonia and had a stroke in February which required two stays in hospital where she sadly passed away. Our prayers are with her family at this sad time.
Charles Gracey
13th April 2024
Charles, the middle son of Norma and Charlie and brother to Dana and Marty, passed away unexpectedly after a short illness near his home in Scotland on 14th March. After his cremation in Scotland, a special Memorial Service was held for him in Carnmoney Parish Church on Saturday 13th April.Â
Charles was born in Gardener Rob Hospital and weighed a whopping 13lb 1oz when he was born. He went to Abbots Cross Primary School, Rathcoole Primary and Glengormley High School, but it has to be said he was much more interested in playing out in the countryside than in pursuing his studies! On leaving school he went to work at New Coat Paints in Mallusk, and it was here that he met his wife, Samantha, and they were married in the Parish Church on 25th January 1986; the following years were spent bringing up their three children Julianne, Aaron and Charlie. Sadly the marriage didn’t last, and he and Samantha separated after eleven years, and seeking a new life, Charlie moved to Liverpool and eventually to Scotland. During later years he had lost contact with many in his family but still rang his mother Norma regularly and attended her 90th birthday party back in Glengormley. He had complained of feeling ill and had been advised to visit the doctor but sadly never made it, suffering a huge heart attack near his home. His ashes will be buried at a future date, meanwhile our prayers are with his family at this sad time.
William James Noel Arnott
26th March 2024
Noel, beloved husband of the late Mary, adored father to Noel, Michelle and Denise, much loved father-in-law to Andrea, Peter and Jerry and cherished granda of Michael, Joshua, Katherine, Anna, Nathaniel, Lydia, Martha Rose and Seraphina, died peacefully on 20th March 2024. A service celebrating his life was held in the church on Tuesday 26th March and afterwards to Newtownabbey Crematorium.
Noel was born on 29th July 1929 in Belfast to Hannah and Robert and spent his early years on and around the Old Lodge and Lower Shankill Roads. Both his parents had impaired vision. It was a stormy relationship which resulted in Hannah bringing up Noel on her own. He attended Eglinton Street Primary School and later St Enoch’s PE in Carlisle Circus. With his mother and a foster brother, Henry, to look out for, Noel took his role very seriously and got work after school to help with the household expenses. One of his first jobs was collecting wastepaper at five shillings a hundredweight - it was a decent job. He then worked for the Belfast Telegraph, delivering papers in a horse and cart - feeling like Ben Hur when he got the chance to take the reins. At sixteen, he was very fortunate to get a job in the shipyard as a trainee welder - the University of Life he called it, with plenty of stories not to be told in this magazine!
After a short stint in Canada, Noel returned home and got involved in the Belfast Newsboys Club, which is where he met his wife to be Mary. He had to work hard to get his first date, but eventually romance blossomed and they were married on 27th December 1954. They then went to Canada to live but returned after four years with their two children, Noel and Denise, and another one on the way, Michelle. They set up home in Rathcoole, then Elmfield Road. Noel then worked in the Felden Centre where he was the chief instructor, later becoming the recreation officer for all the training centres, a job he really loved. Talented, yes, Noel was a great raconteur, telling stories and playing the banjo. And of course he was well known in wrestling circles where he was known as Blackie Arnott - the referees’ nightmare.
Noel worked hard all his life, carried along by his indomitable spirit and sense of humour, providing for and loving his wife and family. He will be much missed by family and friends, and we commend them to your thoughts and prayers.
Sarah Hamilton (Shirley) Gorman
21st March 2024
Shirley, much loved wife of the late Robert (Bobbie) Gorman and beloved mother of Sandra, Elaine and Brian, died peacefully surrounded by her family on 13th March 2024. A celebration of her life was held in the church on Thursday 21st March - and then to Newtownabbey Crematorium.
Sarah was the middle of three children. Jamesey, Sarah and Joan were born in Clanmorris Street, Belfast. When she was young, Sarah’s angelic face was framed with curls - thus she was nicknamed Shirley (Temple), and she remained Shirley all her days. After school, Shirley worked in Jennymount Mill as a spinner and stayed there until she got married. She met Bobbie Gorman in Boneybefore - minding his bike and half crown for him while he went in for a swim. The rest was history - they had bought their house in Elmwood Crescent the year before they were married and lived there all their lives together - raising the three children.
As the children grew, Shirley went back to work, ending up as head cook in the canteen of a school in Rathcoole. As well as looking after the family, Shirley was a great knitter and needle woman, and she enjoyed cooking the produce she had grown in the garden - tomatoes, potatoes, rhubarb. Their family grew over the years - twelve grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren with two more on the way! Sadly, Bobbie died six years ago, and the shock of his sudden passing affected Shirley greatly. But she did her best to keep going for her family.
Family was everything to Shirley; she excelled at her role of wife, mother, granny and great-granny. All of her children told fond stories of family life. Camping holidays in England, Scotland and Ireland, holidays in Spain. Friday nights were a popular gathering night for stew and jelly and ice-cream (three colours of jelly!). At Christmas, present opening was always done at Elmwood - great-grandchildren telling stories of presents flowing out from the tree to the middle of the room. Shirley lived a very full and happy life which was family orientated. She was a person who spent her life caring about and caring for others. She was kind, generous, loving and the family said, “It was a privilege to call her mother.” She will be much missed and we commend her family to your thoughts and prayers.
Georgina Harrison
4th March 2024
Georgie, wife of Brendan, mother of Sean and older sister to Patsie, Ellen, Martin and Thomas, passed away unexpectedly in hospital on Wednesday 28th February. A funeral service was held for her in her home on Monday 4th March, followed by her burial in Carnmoney East Cemetery later that morning.
Originally from Eglinton Street near the Crumlin Road, Georgie was the oldest of five children and adopted that caring and responsible attitude throughout her life. On leaving Hensworth School at fourteen, she worked in Ewart’s Mill and then at the brush factory in Brown’s Square. She met the love of her life, Brendan, whilst dancing in the Orpheus, and they were married on 14th February 1970 in St Patrick’s with only two witnesses present. Their son, Sean, was born the following year, and the family lived in the New Lodge area before buying their family home on the Antrim Road in 1983. In these years, Georgie worked in the stitching factory before moving into the fruit and veg trade with Brendan, having first a market stall and then a shop. In 1992 they almost lost their lives when, being opposite the police station on the Antrim Road, their house was badly damaged when a bomb went off, and it was two years before they were able to move back in due to the damage caused.
 In 2014, Georgie was forced to retire due to bad health but was delighted when Sean moved back home to look after her. In her last years, she enjoyed her music and also spending time with her sisters as well as Brendan and Sean. She will be sadly missed by all her family, and our prayers are with them all.
Henry Alexander Hamilton (Harrry)
4th January 2024
Harry, dearly loved and loving husband of Lorinda, died peacefully on 26th December. A service of thanksgiving and a celebration of his life was held in the Parish Church (where he served God for 27 years) on Thursday 4th January 2024, followed by committal in Antrim and Newtownabbey Crematorium.
Born on 18th April 1948 in Abbeyville Street, Whiteabbey, to Annie and Henry Hamilton, Harry was the fourth child in a family of twelve - explaining Harry’s quiet nature - he was a listener and an observer of the life going on all around him. Harry went to Whiteabbey Primary School and then on to Hopefield Secondary. Leaving school, he worked firstly in Henry Campbell’s in Mossley and then on to Grieves Mill in Whiteabbey. He had a happy childhood, and his family shared memories of his skipping prowess - his raiding of orchards when he was a nipper, his culinary skills - learning from his mistakes, one of which was “carvable” soup! Whatever he was doing, he was always, from a young age, helpful - on one occasion delivering milk by hand to families in Monkstown when the big snow of 1963 put a stop to the milkman’s deliveries. Harry was always ready to go that extra mile - literally in this case.
The night he met the love of his life Lorinda - he had never even spoken to her, but on seeing her for the first time said to his mate, “That’s the girl I am going to marry” and he did, in the Church where they would spend 27 years working side by side. They very recently celebrated forty years together. It was easy to see the great love and respect they held for one another - characterised in their easy banter and their concern for one another.
Harry was an enthusiastic member of Carnmoney Bowling Club. He also dabbled at golf and tennis, thanks to Lorinda, when he played at Colin Montgomery’s golf course in Maynooth and played a few tennis matches at the famous Queen’s Club in London; and Lorinda has the photographs to prove it! Harry was an integral part of Parish life. He was funny, caring, always helpful, always willing to do what he could, quietly going about his business. He had a big presence and will be deeply missed by all in the Parish and his brothers and sisters, but most especially by Lorinda.
We thank God for his life and the years he shared with us, and we commend him to God’s compassion, and his family to His comfort and your thoughts and prayers.
2023
Nell McQueen
Died 5th November 2023
In Memoriam - December 2023 Review
Elizabeth “Betty” Connolly
Died 27th October 2023
In Memoriam - December 2023 Review
Frances Bloomfield
Died 9th May 2023
In Memoriam - June 2023 magazine
Elizabeth Margaret Coyle
Died 13th April 2023
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2022
Jean Rafter
Dies 1st March 2022
In Memoriam - April 2022 Review
Henrietta McCrea
Died 2nd May 2022
In Memoriam - June 2022 Review
Barry Finnegan
Died 20th May 2022
In Memoriam - June 2022 Review
Janet Crilly
Died 3rd December 2022
In Memoriam - January 2023 Review
John Cherry
Died 3rd December 2022
In Memoriam - January 2023 Review
2021
Elizabeth Reid
Died 13th January 2021
In Memoriam - February 2021 Review
Mary McAdam
Died 19th January 2021
In Memoriam - March 2021 Review
Joan Dodds
Died 16th February 2021
In Memoriam - March 2021 Review
Eileen Kane
Funeral: 19th April 2021
Mabel McKee
Funeral: 1st May 2021
William Courtney
Funeral: 25th May 2021
Helen Isabel Gillespie
Died 3rd June 2021
In Memoriam - July/August 2021 Review
Joan Hill
Died 14th September 2021
In Memoriam - October 2021 Review
Elizabeth 'Lillian' Beckinsale
Died 22nd September 2021
In Memoriam - November 2021 Review
Mary McGavock
Died 2nd October 2021
In Memoriam - November 2021 Review
Agnes Ford
Died 12th October 2021
In Memoriam - November 2021 Review
Sharon Conway
Died 13th October 2021
In Memoriam - November 2021 Review
Karen Elizabeth Jane Brown
Died 28th October 2021
In Memoriam - December 2021 Review
Edit Scott
Died 20th November 2021
In Memoriam - January 2022 Review
David Jenkins
Died 10th December 2021
In Memoriam - January 2022 Review
Bert Sheppard
Died 19th December 2021
In Memoriam - February 2022 Review
Shirley Lacey
Died 23rd December 2021
In Memoriam - February 2022 Review
2020
Lorna Munn
Died 20th January 2020
In Memoriam - February 2020 Review
Betty Stewart
Died 28th January 2020
In Memoriam - March 2020 Review
Jim Keery
Died 28th March 2020
In Memoriam - June 2020 Review
Edith Watters
Died 23rd April 2020
In Memoriam - June 2020 Review
Linda Allen
Died 6th May 2020
In Memoriam - June 2020 Review
Molly McHenry
Died 13th May 2020
In Memoriam - June 2020 Review
William James (Billy) Harson
Died 19th May 2020
In Memoriam - June 2020 Review
Jim Speers
Funeral: 28th May 2020
Sam McCrea
Died 3rd June 2020
In Memoriam - July/August 2020 Review
Ruth Walker
Died 7th June 2020
In Memoriam - July/August 2020 Review
Tom Donald
Died 2nd July 2020
In Memoriam - September 2020 Review
Ruth Harrison
Funeral - 20th July 2020
In Memoriam - September 2020 Review
Hubert Dodds
Funeral - 12th August 2020
In Memoriam - September 2020 Review
Ava Moira, Yvonne Simango
Funeral - 13th September 2020
David Heatley
Died 3rd November 2020
In Memoriam - December 2020 Review
Elizabeth Helen Roberts
Died 18th November 2020
In Memoriam - December 2020 Review
Anna Brandon
Died 22nd November 2020
In Memoriam - December 2020 Review
Norma Baird
Died 13th December 2020
In Memoriam - February 2021 Review
2019
Betty Mottram
Died 7th February 2019
In Memoriam - March 2019 Review
Eileen Carlisle
Died 11th March 2019
In Memoriam - April 2019 Review
Jean Howell
Died 16th March 2019
In Memoriam - April 2019 Review
Margaret Frances Wilson
Died 9th April 2019
In Memoriam - May 2019 Review
June Hosick
Died 24th May 2019
In Memoriam - July/August 2019 Review
David Connolly
Died 23rd May 2019
In Memoriam - July/August 2019 Review
Joan Mills
Died 9th June 2019
In Memoriam - July/August 2019 Review
Matthew Courtney
Died 17th June 2019
In Memoriam - July/August 2019 Review
William (Billy) Dowzell-Box
Died 22nd June 2019
In Memoriam - September 2019 Review
Jim Ramsey
Died 22nd July 2019
In Memoriam - September 2019 Review
William (Billy) McKee
Died 3rd August 2019
In Memoriam - September 2019 Review
Thomas Mitchell
Died 27th August 2019
In Memoriam - October 2019 Review
Jean Bates
Died 17th September 2019
In Memoriam - October 2019 Review
William (Billy) James Carlisle
Died 1st November 2019
In Memoriam - December 2019 Review