A tribute was recently held for the late Anita Mukherjee, pictured
A REMEMBRANCE service held for a well know community worker in Fermanagh has heard how her lasting legacy in the county will be the organisation she founded which set out to help local women.
Anita Mukherjee, who died suddenly in October after she had been ill, was “known by everyone in Fermanagh” for her tireless work in community groups, including Women of the World, an group she helped co-found in 2001.
Some 150 people turned out to the event held in the Cathedral Hall, Enniskillen, representing various groups from around the county, including Fermanagh Women’s Network, Fermanagh Churches Forum, Soroptimist International, Fermanagh Women’s Network, Fermanagh Trust, Women of the World, Women Making Waves and the Police and Community Safety Partnership.
Heart-felt stories of Anita were relayed to the audience while tribute were paid to her community work which spanned some 13 years.
Originally from Calcutta in India, Anita involved herself in a host of community groups, including cultural diversity, equality, stress management, holistic healing as well as promoting general well being in her courses.
Geraldine McCaughey, of Women of the World, spoke of her friend and colleague: “She took Fermanagh to her heart, she loved the country, the people and made it her home. Her and her good friend Maria decided to form a group and on 24 October, 2001, Women of the World came to life.
“She had a natural flair and had a great passion to help others.”
While her husband, Tapan and son Rohan, did not attend the event, they passed on their wishes.
Ewa Haremaza, who has now taken over Anita’s role as chairman of the group, said: “She was a mentor for many of us, when I came here she always pushed me to do more. Women of the World of the best way for women to integrate with others.”
Joanna McVeigh, of the Enniskillen Soroptimist Club, said: “She had so much to teach us, she came here and gave us a good shaking up. She was a force of nature and her passing has left a huge gap. She was kind and gentle and was full of utter determination. It’s great to see Women of the World continue and that is her legacy and I know it will go from strength to strength,” she added.
Lauri McCusker, from the Fermanagh Trust, told the crowd: “She was a friend to everyone. The legacy that Anita has given us is education to all, particularly her work in schools and the sharing of all our different experiences. It’s not just about Protestants and Catholics, it’s about all different cultures. Fermanagh is a richer place and we are richer people for having met Anita.”
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