Sorrow at sudden passing of Elma

THERE was profound sorrow and shock in the Seapatrick and wider Banbridge area at the sudden passing of Mrs Ellen (Elma) Hewitt, of 13 Bannview Terrace, Seapatrick.

Elma and her twin sister Lila were the eldest daughters of the late Jack and Maud Wilson.

Born on the Scarva Road, Banbridge, moving to Anderson Street and then later to Moorfield, she grew up with three sisters and eight brothers, three of whom have predeceased her (Paul, Bobby and Tom).

She received her education in Seapatrick Village School, and on leaving school went to work as a weaver in Brookfield factory, where she excelled at her trade.

In her teenage years she became involved with Banbridge Christian Workers, where her strong Christian faith was developed and it was here that she met Harold Hewitt who later became her husband.

They were allocated a Seapatrick mill house at Bannview Terrace and it was here that her children, Jennifer and David, were born. She worked the housewives’ shift in Ballydown weaving factory and when Ballydown factory closed she had several jobs in succession working in the stitching factory in Seapatrick, the canteen in Banbridge Academy, as a home help in Banbridge and then again as a weaver in Donaghcloney where she continued to work until retirement.

A devout Christian lady throughout her life, she maintained a strong interest in Banbridge Christian Workers, supported various missionary endeavours and quietly helped many people in their time of need.

First and foremost she was a family woman and in 2010 she was delighted to celebrate 60 years of marriage supported by her children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren and attended by both her and Harold’s her brothers and sisters and their spouses.

She took ill in late November and was rushed to Craigavon hospital and it was here that she died suddenly on 1st December. Her funeral took place in Scarva Street Presbyterian Church on 4th December with the Rev Andrew Watson officiating assisted by the Deaconess, Kathleen Spence.

She is survived by her sorrowing husband Harold, daughter (Mrs Jennifer Redmond) son David, son-in-law Trevor, daughter-in-law Karen, grandchildren Mrs Hazel Grundwalt (Australia), Timothy & Mark Redmond, Andrew & Ruth Hewitt; great grandchildren Lauren, Dylan, Aaron, Jake, Josh, Zak and Heidi; Sisters Mrs Lila Proctor, Mrs Ethel Murray, Mrs Margaret Martin; Brothers Clarence, Harold, Carlisle, Ernest & Edwin Wilson.

Donations in lieu of flowers to be sent to William Bell & Co for the Chest Heart and Stroke (cheques payable to William Bell & Co).

The funeral took place from her home on Tuesday 4th December for a service in Scarva Street Presbyterian Church when the hymns ‘Thank You Jesus’, ‘I Stand Amazed’ and ‘There Is A Higher Throne’ were sung. Mr Tom Haire presided at the organ.

William Bell and Co. had charge of the funeral arrangements.

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