The 101-year-old, lived at the top of the village’s Main Street with her late husband Hughie for many years. Over the years Tessie welcomed many through her door for a cup of tea and a chat.  

Breda Murphy, a close family relative spoke of how Tessie was a “mother to us all”. 

“She helped us on every occasion that she possibly could. She was very active and I brought her along with me everywhere I could, she was always ready to go. She hadn’t to comb her hair or put on shoes she just lifted the coat and went out through the door. She was happy go lucky. 

“She was always ready with a cup of tea, the minute you went through the door the kettle was on. You got a cup and saucer – there were no mugs there,” she remarked. 

John Coyle, local councillor added, “Tessie was the salt of the earth, she was a real lady and the whole community is saddened by her passing. Everyone knew her, and on a summer’s day she would be sitting on her window sill at the top of the town. Everyone stopped to talk to her even though she was registered blind she recognised everyone’s voices.” 

Mourners gathered at St Patrick’s Church, Belleek to join in the funeral service co-ordinated by Patsy McCann Funeral Directors on Friday last. The funeral mass led by Fr McGourty celebrated her life and the legacy she has left behind. Those present heard of how Tessie, along with her twin sister Sarah first came to Belleek to stay with her Granny McCann in Corlea. 

Described as a bit of an entrepreneur, Tessie opened a second hand suit shop in the cottage that later became her home, but it was said that a lot of the profits went into providing tea for customers and visitors. 

Tessie is survived by her sister-in-law, nephews, nieces and wider family circle.