LETTERKENNY woman Lizzie Williams (née Larkin) was fondly remembered for her deep thoughtfulness and kindness to others, during her requiem Mass last weekend.

Ms Williams, of Fortwell Place, Lower Main Street, passed away peacefully at the Donegal Hospice on Wednesday, May 28.

Requiem Mass took place in St Eunan’s Cathedral on Saturday, May 31.

Born to Frank and Cis on October 4, 1934, Lizzie was the second of 13 children.

Sadly, her father passed away when she was just 13-years-old.

Despite raising a large family on her own, her mother Cis was a clear minded woman who encouraged her children through education.

After she left school, Lizzie first tried her hand at nursing.

However, realising it wasn’t the right path for her, she set out for New York in the early 1950s.

Addressing mourners at Ms Williams’ requiem Mass, Chief Celebrant Monsignor Kevin Gillespie said her time in America left a lasting impression on her outlook, her approach to life and her sense of style.

“There she would meet and marry Mel Williams,” Monsignor Gillespie said.

“She even persuaded him to come back with her to her native and beloved Letterkenny in the 70s.

“That was a prosperous time in this town, a period of its rapid expansion and Lizzie was delighted to be back with family, friends and neighbours.”

For many clergy, Monsignor Gillespie said Ms Williams became something of an institution after she took on the role of housekeeper for Bishop Seamus Hegarty.

“Bishop Hegarty cherished Lizzie’s support and the household she maintained for him,” Monsignor Gillespie said.
“It made it so much easier for him to exercise his duties as Bishop, both here and in Derry upon his transfer in 1994.

“She would stay with him there until she was into her early 70s and when she retired in 2008.

“Lizzie herself had a fairly strong character; she was to be a loyal and dedicated pillar of his life bringing all of her know how and no nonsense to his household and to himself when it was called for.”

Monsignor Gillespie recalled her great consideration for everyone in her life.

“Only last Christmas, she still had her gift bags all ready and set out for distribution,” he said.

“But she left the Christmas cards up well into January for she said in case I don’t get any next year.

“It was as if she had some fore knowledge that God would call her home.”

Following Mass, interment took place in Conwal Cemetery.

Ms Williams is predeceased by her husband, Mel Williams, goddaughter, Geraldine Breen (née Larkin), sisters, Barbara Larkin, Annette Gallagher, Margaret Salih, Bobbie Smith and Yvonne McGranaghan, brothers Gabriel, James and Alec and her parents Frank and Cis.

She is deeply missed by her brother Frank Larkin and sisters Loretto Flaherty, Lelia Colfer and Josephine McHugh (USA), nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and a wide circle of family, friends and neighbours.