A remarkable lady who was born near Derrylin and was employed in some of the Big Houses in Fermanagh celebrated her 100th birthday just recently, but that unique to fame is surpassed by the fact she saved a local Earl from choking to death on a fish bone.

Eliza Jane Hicks was born Eliza Jane Sheridan on 12th October, 1908 at Corrahara, Derrylin close to the County Cavan border. This was part of the Crom Estate where her father was employed as a blacksmith. He was Thomas Henry Sheridan and his wife, Eliza Jane.

Eliza was the oldest of three girls but, sadly, her two sisters died in 1991.

She was educated at Crom National School and, later, in Teemore School and, on leaving school at 14 or 15 years of age, she worked as a housemaid for Major Cavendish Butler on Inishrath island, and she also looked after Maureen Butler who was disabled and a wheelchair user.

Then, in 1939, Eliza went to work as a parlour maid in Florence Court castle for the 5th Earl of Enniskillen and, it was during her employment there, she saved the life of Lord Enniskillen when he choked on a fish bone. She removed it from his throat with a crochet needle.

On 2nd November, 1942, Eliza married George Hicks, the local postman. They made their home at Mullen, Florencecourt and had a son, Robert and a daughter, Mabel. When her children were still young, Eliza returned to Florence Court Castle to work on a part-time basis. Following this, she looked after the Acheson family in The Tilery in Florencecourt. The late Dr Acheson was the local GP.

Eliza and her family moved to Enniskillen in the mid-60's and, shortly after this, she began working for the Belmore family at Castlecoole, on a, part-time basis, until Lord Belmore's marriage.

Eliza has been a member of the Enniskillen Women's section of the Royal British Legion for more than 30 years.

She was always known as having been very handy with her hands, and adept at using her little old Singer hand-sewing machine. She was also very talented in making loose covers for suites of furniture as well as carrying out repairs, and she was always willing to do sewing for neighbours.

Indeed, she still sews, knits and bakes scones.

She is a very independent person and, despite her remarkable age, she never had the need for a Home Help in her life. Eliza attends Day Centre once a week and, also, the Salvation Army Lunch Club.

She has four grandsons, three great grandsons and three great granddaughters, along with a nephew and his family.