Diocesan News
Eileen Celebrates Her 106th Birthday!
Congratulations to Mrs Eileen Nutt, a parishioner of St Simon’s, Belfast, Diocese of Connor, who celebrated her 106th birthday on May 13!
Eileen, has had a lifelong connection with St Simon’s – indeed, as Priest–in–Charge the Rev Raymond Moore pointed out, the actual church was only consecrated 86 years ago, so Eileen is older than it!
Originally from the Donegall Road area, Eileen now lives in Adelaide House Belfast, where her son Ernie, 87, is also a resident.
She grew up in Donegall Avenue and brought Ernie and her daughter Margaret up on her own as her husband left Northern Ireland seeking work during the Depression and did not return.
During the war Eileen worked in a children’s nursery and for many years was a clerical officer in Bannon’s furniture shop before going back to work in a nursery in her later years. Ernie said she also looked after her brothers, one of whom had been torpedoed during the war and took oil into his lungs, affecting his later health.
The secret to Eileen’s long life, Ernie said, was probably keeping busy.
Eileen was delighted to receive a birthday card from the Queen – always a very special one as she is a big fan of Her Majesty and the Royal family.
“She loves the Queen,” Ernie said. “She is the first down on the Lisburn Road with her wee flag every Twelfth!”
A great fan of Linfield, Eileen knows all the team’s songs. She loves singing and Ernie says she really enjoys the visit of ‘the Music Man’ to Adelaide House. In her youth Eileen was also a great Irish dancer.
Raymond helped Eileen open her many cards on the morning of her birthday. They included cards from Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Belfast, Fionnuala Jay–O’Boyle, the Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev Alan Abernethy, and the Mothers’ Union.
For further information contact Karen Bushby, Connor Diocesan Communications Officer, on 028 9082 8874 or 07766 103880 or email [email protected]
For further information please contact:
Connor Diocesan Communications Officer
Contact Details
Karen Bushby
028 4066 0798
07766103880
[email protected]