On behalf of Fermanagh Writers, Dianne Trimble bids farewell to Marie Connor:

I first met Marie Connor when she called into the office where I work to arrange catering for the book launch of a writers’ organisation she belonged to. As a result of this chance meeting she introduced me to the organisation and I joined it. Through a convoluted series of events I eventually ended up also as a member of Fermanagh Writers and the secretary for both organisations. And it’s all down to my first contact with Marie.

Marie and her husband, Bill, are leaving Enniskillen this month and moving to the sunnier south of England and I will miss her. And so will the other members of Fermanagh Writers. She has made a great contribution to our group.

Marie has an outgoing personality. She encourages and draws the best from group members and charms shop owners into stocking our first book. She’s our best saleswoman and she has always been a great ambassador for the group. She also provides sound advice, based on her experiences, about writing and getting published to our members.

She’s been a prolific writer for many years and her stories and reminiscences have been published in Ireland’s Own and The People’s Friend as well as numerous writers’ groups’ anthologies and local newspapers around the world. Her varied experiences in many countries have fuelled her pen.

At Marie’s farewell dinner this week members of our group read poems they had written in her honour and she was touched by them. Maybe she has also sparked the beginnings of our next anthology?….

Fermanagh Writers wish Marie and Bill the best of luck as they move across the sea. We’re also hoping she finds a home in a new writers’ group soon – we plan to visit her….