Wife of former rector fondly remembered

The wife of Canon Ken Cochrane, former rector of St Paul’s Parish Church in Lisburn, has sadly passed away.

Mildred Cochrane, who passed away at Daisy Hill Hospital surrounded by her family, was remembered with great affection at her funeral, which was held in St Paul’s Parish Church last Thursday (May 1).

The service was led by Christ Church Rector, Rev Paul Dundas, who gave thanks for Mildred’s “life, faith, values, devotion, service, warm personality, example, Christian love within her family and within the family of the people of God.”

Rev Dundas expressed his sympathy to sons Peter and Michael, as well as daughters-in-law Deardre and Eleanor as well as grandchildren Emma, Simon and Christopher.

Mildred was grew up in Finaghy, the middle child of Maud and William Dummigan, with younger sister Valerie and older brother James.

As a pupil at Princess Gardens, she played hockey and netball and was, of course, a dedicated church member at St Polycarp’s in Belfast.

She met her husband Ken whilst working in the GNR in Belfast and they married on June 24, 1957, whilst Ken was in his final year at Trinity College in Dublin.

Parish ministry began for the couple at St Aidan’s and then St Nicholas’ in Belfast, before moving to Christ Church in Lisburn.

They welcomed their sons into the world, with Peter arriving in 1960 and younger brother Michael being born in 1967.

As well as being a wife and mother, and working in the Parish, Mildred also worked part time at Bibby’s on the Moira Road as secretary and later in Knockmore Primary School.

She was a central figure in the Cochrane family, with her grandchildren sharing fond memories, including getting spoilt with sweets, ice cream and donuts. One of her grandsons also recalled the “legendary roast beef dinners followed by raspberry ripple ice cream.”

The grandchildren also shared Mildred’s favourite quote: “Aim for the moon and you will reach the stars.”

After retirement from St Paul’s the Cochranes became an integral part of the family in Christ Church Lisburn, where Mildred joined the Mother’s Union.

Later in life Mildred was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia and there was a deep void in her life when her husband passed away in December 2009.

Following the service at St Paul’s, a cremation service was held at Roselawn Crematorium.

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