Bridget Hughes (nee Croarken) of Wembley, London, formerly of Roslea passed away on January 10th last. She was aged 93.
Bridget was born in January, 1914 at Derryard, Roslea, the eldest daughter of Michael and Bridget Croarken (nee Clerkin). Her youngest sister, Mary Catherine Smythe, who died 1998, lived in Glasgow and another sister, Elizabeth (Bessie), who was 92, died only last December in Roslea.
After working in a hotel in Mayo, Bridget moved to Wembley, London in 1935 meeting up with two cousins from Derryvollen, Elizabeth (Lee) and Bridget Murray who lived nearby. A third cousin, Rose Murray, arrived in London in 1948. In 1942 Bridget married Patrick Hughes (who died 1991). He was from Coalisland. They had two children, Mary and Michael.
Her working life included jobs in the local cinema and in Marconi Electronics. In 1976 she retired with Michael to live in rural Buckinghamshire in a house which he had built himself. During this period, she kept busy working as a volunteer in Dr. Barnardo's Charity Shop as well as maintaining an allotment. But, they returned to their old street in Wembley in 1985, preferring to be closer to public transport and amenities in their advancing years.
The deceased was a keen gardener and an avid reader of newspapers even in her final years. In her seventies and eighties, she stayed fit and healthy by walking her Jack Russell terrier, and until the age of 91, she was still able to take the bus to the local supermarket. However, her final two years were spent within the confines of her own house and garden although she would often stand at the front gate chatting to passing neighbours.
Bridget remained in regular contact with her cousins and their families in neighbouring districts of London.
She was known for her sense of humour and indomitable spirit which was commented on by the wonderful staff at the BUPA Middlesex Manor Nursing Home in Wembley where she spent the last two months of her life.
The largely attended funeral took place on February 5th at St. Joseph's Church in Wembley where she had been a parishioner for most of her 73 years in England. Mourners included relatives of her husband from Coalisland and Belfast as well as neighbours of various nationalities. The celebrant of the Mass was Father John Menonkari.
The cremation was at Ruislip Crematorium and the ashes will be buried at Carpenders Park Cemetery in North West London.
