MARY Casey had a great appreciation of education from an early age.
As the eldest daughter, she was first girl in her family to go to university.
She remained acutely aware of how hard her widowed mother Sarah-Anne worked on the family farm near Dungannon, in the parish of Eglish, to ensure her three daughters had the same opportunity to be educated as her four sons.
Mary and her sisters Anne and Celena all entered the teaching profession with a strong belief in equality, fairness and the importance of education.
Mary went to England to begin her teaching career. Always game for an adventure, travelling was something she enjoyed throughout her life.
She fondly recounted her year living with the Countess de Ybarra in Spain, teaching English to her children. The family were puzzled by why she loved to spend so much of her free time enjoying their swimming pool – even during siesta time.
She also met the visionary Lúcia during a trip to Fátima.
Mary eventually came home and taught for many years at St Colman’s High School in Strabane.
She was the first female teacher to be permanently employed in the all-boys school, working hard to equip her students with a well-rounded education, including domestic science.
On enquiring of her pupils if they could cook, she was informed: “Sure that’s woman’s work, Miss!”
This remark ensured a kitchen was promptly installed in her classroom and all the boys taught to cook and be useful around the house.
When Mary had brought them along with the basics, she brokered a deal with a neighbouring school to allow a number of boys displaying particular talent to continue on to higher domestic science classes there.
In exchange, her school offered some girls the opportunity to take classes in mechanics.
Mary was always proud her scheme resulted in some professional chefs.
She also did a course in mechanics herself and knew her way around under the bonnet of the car.
As the Troubles raged on the streets outside of the school, she encouraged the boys she taught to take the opportunities education could open up for them.
If pupils past or present ever needed her help, she was always ready to offer her guidance and encouragement.
Likewise, colleagues who became life-long friends remember Mary for her kindness and support. As a trade union representative, she worked to ensure the rights of her fellow teachers.
After a full and fulfilling teaching career, life changed dramatically for Mary when a sudden stroke severely disabled her youngest sister Celena.
When doctors said it was unlikely she would ever recover, with characteristic determination Mary refused to accept that nothing could be done.
She and her sister Anne retired from teaching and returned to their family home in Tyrone to become full-time carers.
They worked tirelessly to help Celena make a slow but remarkable recovery.
Facing the many challenges carers encounter, Mary soon started campaigning for disability rights and the rights of carers.
She volunteered the full force of her support and talent for activism to organisations such as Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke, as well as many other local groups supporting disability action.
Mary and Anne even took their lobby to Stormont.
For many years they continued to devote themselves to caring at home and campaigning in the wider community.
Celena’s recovery was successful enough for Mary to resume her love of travel and bring her sister on a trip to New Zealand to meet their mother’s branch of the family.
The three sisters also enjoyed many trips to Bundoran, Knock and Lourdes.
When Celena suffered a second major stroke, time was against the sisters for continuing as full-time carers.
While Mary still refused to give up, sadly both Celena and Anne eventually declined to ill-health.
Mary continued her dedicated routine of caring even when both her younger sisters went to live in care homes, visiting each of them daily to ensure their wellbeing.
As her sisters passed away, she continued to devote her time to helping others.
Forever young at heart, she had a talent for connecting with young people and encouraging them in education, careers or life in general.
She enjoyed the celebrations for her ninetieth birthday and the years which followed, keeping everyone regaled with her memories, wit and wisdom.
As the sole remaining member of the older generation, Mary became the family treasure.
Her passing marks the end of an era but her strong and pioneering spirit will always be remembered.