Mrs. Ann (Nance) O'Reilly
Editorial Department • Published 5 Jan 2012 09:30
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A mother and grandmother, Ann (Nance) O'Reilly, fondly remembered as a lady, passed away peacefully in the Erne Hospital after a very short illness aged 87. Ann was born in Portstewart and went in her teens to work in the Civil Service in London.
Returning to Northern Ireland, she took up a post in Enniskillen where she met and married Diarmuid and became a devoted mother to her six children. She then returned to the Civil Service in 1972 working in Ann Street until her retirement.
She enjoyed her frequent visits back home to Portstewart, to the sea which she loved and it was during these times she encouraged all her children to swim summer and winter. She never lost her soft vocal tone which is so characteristic of the north coast. An avid bridge player she enjoyed the challenge of the game and the friendships she made. In her day she played golf and was an accomplished pianist.
It was however oil painting that was her real love. She was self taught and continued to enjoy painting with her last exhibition in the Town Library at Hallowe'en. She loved the challenge of the changing light; the mountains, capturing the atmosphere and colours the landscapes and seascapes had to offer, always taking photos on her trips to Donegal. She has exhibited over the years with the Erne Art group and always looked forward to including some of her work for the annual shows. The town of Enniskillen featured often in her work, capturing a street, a row of houses and the spires. But it was always the water that attracted her, with its reflections, calmness or turbulence featuring in most of her work.
As a grandmother she will always be remembered as a great cook and there was always some delicacy for those who visited. She enjoyed the grandchildren growing up and she embraced their worlds always keen to share in their success and struggles. It's a testimony to her quiet calm, her youthful spirit and gentle persuasiveness that she inspired and nurtured her family. Just as with the application of paint on a fresh canvas the subtle nuances and variations in her techniques of motherhood enriched and made all the difference to those close to her.
Nance is predeceased by her husband Diarmuid, and sons-in-law Tommy and Sean. She leaves her children; Kathleen (Enniskillen) Dermot and Frances (Belfast) Jane (Limavady) Jarlath and Catherine (Banbridge) Brian and Marcella (Enniskillen) Fintan (London) and grandchildren; Rowan, Emer, Stephen, Gareth, David, Mathew, Zara, Maeve, Connor, Donal, Mark, Carl and Amy.
This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 05 Jan 12
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