In memory of Sheila McAteer
1944 - 2021

Celebrant: Canon Gerald Powell P.P.

Sheila, or to be precise Mary Sarah Jane was born in Coulters house on the 5th of May 1944. She was the youngest daughter of Vincent and Winifred Moore. After her birth the family moved to the Red Row where Sheila had a very happy childhood along with her sisters Maureen and Kathleen and her brothers Laurence and Sean. Often Sheila recalled many childhood memories.

Sheila was amongst the first pupils to attend Saint Patrick’s school in Banbridge but at the age of 15 she left school and started working in the Star in Portadown along with her sisters Maureen and Kathleen. At the age of 18 she met and married Patrick but the marriage did not last and she returned home to the Red Row to be with her mum and dad. Family and friends rallied round to support Sheila because in those days single parents didn't get much help. Tragedy struck in 1968 when her mum died suddenly at the age of 51 , followed two years later with the death of her father at 53. Again family and friends supported Sheila.

In 1972 in the heart of the troubles, her daughter Sharleen was admitted to the Musgrave hospital where she lay from months suffering from scoliosis. Once again, Sheila’s friends stood by her, risking their lives to ensure she got to see Sharleen. She will never forget Peter, Michael, Armand, Leon and good friend Brian McKiverigan for risking their lives to ensure she got to see Sharleen. All this time Sheila picked up work in various cleaning jobs. By 1984 Sheila sister’s Maureen got her a job in Lismona Wear in Portadown. When was Lismona closed down Sheila and Maureen continued working together in Moy Park Limited.

Sheila’s heart was broken on the 15th of July 2003 when her sister Maureen died- she was lost! But God sent her a wee four-legged friend called “Suki”. She loved her so much that she requested Suki’s photo to be placed in her coffin. In March 2019 she was diagnosed with cancer and she showed great strength going through her treatment and had just received good news about her cancer. Unfortunately, she contracted COVID-19 19 and although she fought it bravely, her body succumbed to it on Wednesday night, with her daughter Sharleen maintaining a vigil by her side as she slipped away peacefully. God bless her.

Unfortunately, Sheila's daugher Sharleen couldn't be present at the funeral as she, her husband and daughter are all suffering from Covid. Sharleen sent this message to be read out, emphasing how wonderful a mother Sheila was to her three children.

"It is with broken hearts that Michael, Emma, Ryan, Sarah and I cannot be present today, but I will be eternally grateful to God that he allowed me to spend the last 48 hours with you. We got to say that we loved each other and I am glad that God had this is his master plan.

I am secure in the knowledge that you are in heaven and at peace.

God bless you mum,

Sharleen.

May she rest in peace