Tribute to well-known Larne nurse and enthusiastic poet

Born in Fermanagh, the eldest of a family of six, she attended school in the village of Brookeborough and later Enniskillen Technical School.

After leaving school, she moved to Belfast and worked as a typist in Stormont. Later she decided to take up nursing as a career.

She trained at Belfast City Hospital, acquiring an SRN and SCM. While working there, she met her husband, Harry, and was married on 26th March 1958. Eunice continued to keep in touch with the nurses she trained with.

Moving to Larne after her marriage, she became a district nurse and midwife. In 1959 she left to rear her own family.

In the early 1970s Eunice returned to work as a school nurse, a post which enabled her to still spend time with her young family. She often humorously referred to herself as the “nit nurse”!

In 1976 Eunice returned to study and a year later qualified as a health visitor, providing care to all generations, from newborns to the elderly. With her cheerful personality and ready smile, she was always a welcome visitor.

Shortly after retiring as a heath visitor, she took up a post running the asthma clinic for Dr Howie in the Larne Health Centre.

Mrs Walker was active in all aspects of life in the community. She served on the board of governors of Larne Nursery for over 20 years, retiring only in 2002.

A committed Christian, she was also a Sunday school teacher in Craigy Hill Gospel Hall.

Eunice was an enthusiastic poet. She often wrote poems about everyday life, from the birds and flowers in her own garden to places she visited. Occasionally she was commissioned to write a poem for a special occasion. However, she will be best remembered for publishing three books of spiritual poems, the proceeds of which went to support missionaries. She was surprised to find that one book had made its way to Buckingham Palace but was thrilled to receive a letter of thanks.

Predeceased by her husband Harry in 2004, she is survived by a family of four: Avril, Audrey, James and Deborah. She leaves five grandchildren and three great grandchildren- the youngest, Ella Eunice, was born shortly after her passing.

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