Diocesan News
Mageragall Parishioner Celebrates Her 100th Birthday
Magheragall parishioner Wilma Hutchinson celebrated her 100th birthday on May 27 with a party at Blaris Fold, Lisburn.
Wilma with husband Kyle
The rector of Magheragall, the Rev Nicholas Dark, represented the parish and joined family members, friends, residents of the Fold and the Mayor of Lisburn, Councillor Brian Harding, to celebrate Wilma’s big day.
The Rev Nicholas Dark, rector of Magheragall Parish, congratulates Wilma Hutchinson on her 100th birthday
Wilma and her husband Kyle, a young 98, joined the parish in the time of Canon Musgrave, although Wilma came to Magheragall Parish Church for the first time with Emily Nesbitt, the wife of her cousin the Rev John Nesbitt, who was the son of the Rev Samuel Nesbitt, rector of Ballynure and Ballyeaston from 1896 to 1926.
Wilma grew up in the townland of Toberdowney in the Parish of Ballynure where her father was a local farmer. She attended the Presbyterian Church as a child but has many fond memories of life at her uncle’s Rectory in Ballynure. She remembers going out to the shed with cousin John with a candle and a bucket to milk the two Rectory cows. The candle apparently sat nicely on the back of the cow and illuminated the shed!
There aren’t too many rectories with dairy cattle out the back today and that little story illustrates just what change Wilma has witnessed during her life.
As she turned 100, Wilma was able to say that she is still happily married and that in itself is quite remarkable. She married husband Kyle from Dromore, Co Down, in June 1946, and Kyle is now looking forward to his 99th birthday. They have two sons, John and Geoffrey, two grandchildren Nina and Kyle and one great granddaughter, Lucy.
Kyle like Wilma has lived through remarkable times. He had a brother in the Royal Flying Corp shot down in World War One and another brother in the Royal Air Force shot down in World War Two, mercifully both survived their experiences.
Wilma was a teacher and one of the tributes to her at her party was the presence of one of her first pupils from the school in Rasharkin were she started her teaching career some 80 years ago.
Longevity always prompts the question, what is your secret, and Wilma was ready with her answer “walking and talking.”
Wilma received more than 50 cards and letters including cards from the Queen, the President of Ireland, the Bishop of Connor, and the rector and select vestry of Magheragall Parish.
For further information please contact:
Connor Diocesan Communications Officer
Contact Details
Karen Bushby
028 4066 0798
07766103880
[email protected]