Public Support Grows for Funeral of Elderly Woman Without Next of Kin
A funeral director has received numerous calls from members of the public offering support following the death of an 81-year-old woman who had no known relatives.
An appeal was initiated to locate any next of kin after Margaret Ellen 'Peggy' Murdoch passed away on 9 April in hospital, but no family members have come forward.
Margaret resided at Lisadian House Nursing Home in Hillsborough.
She was described as someone who enjoyed travelling, had a fondness for cats, and liked to wear a "wee bit of makeup".
Prior to Lisadian House, Margaret lived in El Shammah Nursing Home.
Before entering care homes, she lived independently in her own residences located on Wilson Street in Lisburn and Seacash Walk in Antrim.
Community Offers to Participate in Funeral
Funeral director David Jess told NI that several people have expressed their intention to attend Margaret's funeral, which is scheduled to take place at Ronnie Thompson's Funeral Church in Lisburn on Tuesday.
"We had hoped, given that widespread circulation, that someone would have been found by now, but doesn't seem to be the case,"
David added that even before the funeral date and time were publicly announced, people were inquiring about attending because they felt someone should be present.
"We have had neighbours from those two addresses that I mentioned, both in Lisburn and in Antrim, who are keen to offer any help they can,"
He also noted that there have been offers from individuals willing to sing at the funeral and others offering to provide flowers.
"We have a couple of offers to sing at the funeral, a couple of offers to provide flowers."
Possible Family Background and Funeral Arrangements
David speculated that Margaret might be the last member of her family or that any relatives may have emigrated and were unaware of her passing.
He mentioned that someone suggested Margaret may have originally been from Scotland.
A celebrant will conduct the funeral service.
"The celebrant, she intends to have a chat with some of the folks that have got in touch with us, just to sort of gain a wee bit of information about Margaret's hobbies and interests, and the type of person that she was,"
Financially, a government agency is covering the cremation costs, while the funeral directors will absorb all other expenses related to the service.
