Sarah Martin Bruce

Sarah Martin Bruce of Paducah Kentucky died peacefully January 5, 2010. Mrs. Bruce, who was residing in Paducah, KY, with her daughter Yvonne Ward and son-in-law Dr. J. Patrick Ward, was born on November 13, 1908 in Legananny, County Down, Northern Ireland and was 101 years old at the time of her death. Mrs. Bruce came to the United States in 1957. During her long and blessed life she was often heard to say a phrase she lived by, “Don’t worry, just be happy,” which summed up her faith that God is in control. She always greeted her family and friends with a smile and a hug and she dearly loved all her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. During her 100th Birthday party in November, 2008, she was honored with a personal 100th birthday greeting from Queen Elizabeth of England. She is survived by her three children, Ian Bruce and his wife Dora Bruce of Lumberton, NJ, Sadie Dixon and her husband John Dixon of Hertfordshire, England, and Yvonne Ward and her husband Dr. J. Patrick Ward of Paducah, KY. In addition, she is survived by nine grandchildren, Martin Bruce and his wife Sandy Bruce of Mt. Holly, NJ, Pauline Beale and her husband Steven Beale of Bedfordshire, England, Christine Dixon of Hertfordshire, England, Roy Wayne McCarty and his wife Bozena McCarty of Wilmington, DE, Juanita McCarty Lee and her husband Rev. Kenneth A. Lee of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Loraine Beard and her husband Phillip Beard of Gloucester, England, Venetia Dixon of London, England, Sally Bruce Moore and her husband William Moore of Mt. Holly, NJ, Lisa Bruce Clear and her husband Dave Clear of Pemberton, NJ, twenty-five great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. She also has a sister, Mrs. Martha Wheeler, of Gloucester, England, one niece, Sadie Patterson, and three nephews, Brooke Martin, Alex Martin and Robert Priestly all from County Down, Northern Ireland, and first cousin Emily Bleakley of Bangor, Northern Ireland. She was predeceased by her husband, Richard John Bruce of Belfast, Northern Ireland, one grandson, David Bruce of Mt. Holly, NJ, one brother, Edward Martin of County Down, Northern Ireland and one sister, Mary Priestly of County Down, Northern Ireland and nephew Jim Parker of Gloucester, England. Visitation with the family begins at 12:00 pm Saturday, January 9, 2010. The funeral service will follow at 1:00 pm at The Perinchief Chapels, 438 High St., Mt. Holly, NJ, 08060. The Rev. Kenneth A. Lee of Mt. Pleasant, SC, will officiate. Interment will follow at St. Andrew’s Graveyard on Pine Street. In lieu of flowers the family requests any contributions in her memory be made to The American Cancer Society -South Jersey Region, 1851 Old Cuthbert Rd Cherry Hill, NJ 08034.

Sarah Martin Bruce

November 13, 1908 - January 5, 2010