Northern Ireland

Sally Mayo: Ballymena woman's warm, giving nature brought joy to many

Sally Mayo's final gift was the donation of her organs
Sally Mayo's final gift was the donation of her organs Sally Mayo's final gift was the donation of her organs

SALLY Mayo was a familiar face around Ballymena where her warm and giving nature brought joy to many people's lives.

Born in 1942, she was one of two daughters of Johnny and Lizzie Scullion and attended St Louis' Primary School along with her sister Eleanor.

Both went on to work in the old Woolworths store on Bridge Street, at the heart of the bustling Co Antrim town.

Sally met Cline Mayo, the son of an American GI, at Mrs Harper's 'hop' on Trostan Avenue but he was forced shortly afterwards to travel to the States to do national service.

They kept in touch and, on his return to Ireland, he marched straight to Woolworths in his uniform to see her.

The couple were married in 1966 and were blessed with four children - Elaine, Kieran, Denise and Gregory, who died in February last year.

When the children were young Sally worked at All Saints’ Primary School.

She then got a job at Eason bookshop after it opened in Ballymena in 1985 and remained there until retiring in 2007.

She was very popular among staff and customers and parish priest Fr Paddy Delargy told mourners at All Saints Church how she "enjoyed a laugh and a joke and is fondly remembered as a very jolly personality".

Retirement allowed Sally and Cline to spend more time travelling, enjoying trips across Europe over the years and paying their 15th visit to Blackpool this year.

Sally was a season ticket holder for the Belfast Giants, taking a front row seat and enjoying a kid’s meal, tea and a chocolate bar at every game.

She also loved her dogs, with even one starring in a BBC documentary when it underwent pioneering eye surgery.

Sally and Cline played a full part in parish life and were known as the 'mammy and daddy' of the All Saints folk group.

She had great faith, often attending daily Mass.

Sarah (Sally) Mayo died aged 76 on October 18 after a long and happy life and her month's mind Mass will be celebrated at All Saints Church on Saturday December 8 at 6pm.

She is sadly missed by her husband, three children, nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, of whom she was very proud.

Her final gift was the donation of her organs and her family are proud and take comfort from knowing that two people received kidney transplants after years on a waiting list while another lady received a life-saving liver transplant.

For further information about organ donation see www.organdonation.nhs.uk.