Tribute to '˜leading figure in the life of Ballymoney High'

Mrs Cynthia Currie said: “Mrs Mollie Holmes OBE JP has been a leading figure in the life of Ballymoney High School over the years. Indeed her dedicated years of service to the school as a member of the Board of Governors for 40 years (1966-2006) and Chair of Governors for 20 of these years (1986-2006) is unlikely to be surpassed.

“Her focus has always been on the young people and she often took great joy in talking to them and following their development and progress through the school. Even after her retirement she continued to take a keen interest in Ballymoney High School, visiting the school regularly to keep herself updated- often bringing along some of her famous cakes for staff at key times of the year!

“In 2009 the school was very proud to have Mrs Holmes OBE JP as their guest speaker at their Prize Day an event where she clearly showed that age was only a number and that she was very determined to stay in touch with young people.”

Mrs Currie, current Principal at the school shared that in a piece Mrs Holmes herself composed to mark the school’s 50th Anniversary Year in 2011 she opened with, ‘What a privilege was mine to be associated with Ballymoney High School’.

Mrs Currie said that the Governors, staff and pupils would now like to honour and pay the highest tribute to Mrs Holmes and close this special chapter and era by saying that, ‘the privilege is all ours – the privilege of having known the warmth, words of wisdom, friendship and leadership of this remarkable lady who has touched and continues to touch the lives of many people in the school community past and present.’

The governors, staff and pupils wish to pass on their deepest sympathies to her son James and the wider family circle at this sad time.