Sadness as one of Mid Ulster's oldest residents dies

Mary Martin, from Loves Road, Ballynagarve, passed away on Wednesday. She was in her 103rd year.

She was married to the late Hugh Martin and was widowed at the age of 39 with eight children to raise.

On her 100th birthday, she told the Mail the recipe to her long life was simple hard work.

She was born Mary Johnston to parents Sarah and William Johnston on August 8 1914.

The Johnston family lived in Ballyheifer before moving to the Pound Road area of Magherafelt.

She married Hugh Martin on October 10 1939 and moved to Ballynagarve where she has since lived.

Her funeral takes place today from her home for Requiem Mass in Church of St Trea, Newbridge, interment afterwards in adjoining cemetery.

She was mother of Anne (Cudden), Betty (McGuigan), John, Willie, Gerard, Sheila (Kelly) and the late Hughie and Josephine, and is survived by a large family circle.