Oldest parishioner in Down & Dromore dies at 109
Mrs Lily Spence, the second oldest women in Northern Ireland died earlier this week at the amazing age of 109. She was certainly the oldest parishioner in the diocese of Down & Dromore and was the oldest Mothers' Union member in Ireland. We also think she may be the oldest member of the Church of Ireland - but if you differently, please let us know!
Lily had eight children and until her death she lived with one of her daughters next door to Spence's chip shop, which was a family business started by Lily's husband in 1921. When asked some time ago what was her secret of long life she replied: ‘hard work and clean living'.
Lily was a member of Willowfield Parish Church and was visited regularly by the rector, the Revd David McClay. Born on New Year's Eve 1898, Lily had a keen practical faith and over the years corresponded regularly with missionaries working overseas.
Spence's Fish and Chip business is well known in the East Belfast area and in 1921 when Lily began serving fish suppers the cost of a supper was 3d in pre-decimal money!
Lily's funeral service was held on Friday 1st February in Willowfield Parish Church.
Some facts about the year Mrs Spence was born:
C.S. Lewis was born in Ballyhackamore, Belfast
The Titanic hadn't yet been built
The Bishop of Down, Dromore and Connor was the Right Reverend Thomas James Willand
The American Book of Common Prayer was revised
Trams in Belfast were drawn by horses
Queen Victoria was on the throne
The Marquis of Salisbury was Prime Minister
Gladstone died of cancer
French chemists Marie and Pierre Curie discovered radium
Lord Curzon was British Viceroy of India
There was a gold rush along the upper Yukon River
The Treaty of Paris was signed between United States of America and Spain ending the Spanish-American War. Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Phillipines were ceded to the United States for $20 million