Sandy Close Funeral Services

07/05/2026

DICKEY JOHN FERGUSON (JACKIE)
Passed away peacefully in hospital on 2nd May 2026.
Late of 29 Lyndhurst Gardens, Ballygomartin Road, Belfast.

Everloving husband of Marie,
much loved father of David and Jacqueline, father-in-law of Sandra,
also cherished granda of Andrew,
Steven and Ryan.

Funeral service will be held in Woodvale Methodist Church, 260 Cambrai Street on Tuesday 12th May at 10.30am,
followed by committal at
Roselawn Cemetery for 1.00pm.

Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu, if desired to N.I. Chest, Heart & Stroke 21 Dublin Road, Belfast, BT2 7HB.
or
Woodvale Methodist Church
260 Cambrai Street, Belfast, BT13 3JH.

Loved and remembered always by his wife, son, daughter and
the entire family circle.

He died as he lived, everyone’s friend.

29/04/2026

IRELAND SAMUEL ELLIS (SAMMY) Passed away 20th April 2026.

Beloved husband of Arlene,
much loved father of Mark and Tammie,
father-in-law of Caroline and Thomas,
also cherished granda of Kyle, Amiee, Samuel, Reece and Emma.

House Private. Visitation welcome on Sunday 26th, Monday 27th, and
Tuesday 28th April, between 2.00pm and 8.00pm.

Funeral cortege will leave from his home, 690 Crumlin Road,
on Thursday 30th April at 9.30am.

Funeral service will be held in Antrim and Newtownabbey Crematorium,
582 Doagh Road, Newtownabbey at 11.00am.

At Sammy’s request everyone attending to wear a little red.

Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu if desired, sent directly to:
Northern Ireland Hospice
Horizon House, 18 O’Neill Road, Newtownabbey BT36 6WB
or online at samuelireland.muchloved.com

Loved and remembered always by his wife, son, daughter and the entire
family circle.

Two tired eyes are sleeping, two willing hands are still,
the one who worked so hard for us, is resting at Gods will.
For many years the family chain, was closely linked together,
but oh, that chain is broken now, the main link gone forever.

23/04/2026

Alan Albert Elliott (Bo)
Died April 17, 2026. (Suddenly)

Beloved son of the late Christine and Alan, loving partner of Linda, much loved brother of Graeme and Clark, dear stepson of Gordon, and a treasured uncle.

Funeral Service will be held at
Roselawn Crematorium,
127 Ballygowan Road, Crossnacreevy
On Friday 1st May at 11.20am

No flowers by request please.
Donations in memory of Bo may be made to Epilepsy Action at
alan-albert-elliott.muchloved.com

Will be sadly missed by his loving family.
No farewells were spoken,
No time to say goodbye,
You were gone before we knew,
And only God knows why.

20/04/2026

James Martin (Jimmy)
Passed away April 15, 2026. At hospital. Late of Highfern Gardens.
Beloved son of the late Gilbert and Joyce, and dear brother of the late Ann.

A Service of Thanksgiving will be held in Sandy Close Funeral Services,
404-412 Shankill Road, on Friday 24th April at 9.30am
and afterwards to Roselawn Cemetery.

Flowers welcome. Donations in lieu of flowers will also be gratefully received for
N.I. Children’s Hospice at james-martin-1952-2026.muchloved.com

Will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by all his friends and family.
A good man. Quiet in manner, warm in heart - his memory will always bring a smile.

15/04/2026

Violet Elizabeth Clarke - Passed away April 4, 2026. At home.
Late of Hesketh Park, Belfast.

Beloved sister of David, Muriel and Sandra, and a treasured aunt.

A Service of Thanksgiving will be held at Sandy Close Funeral Services,
404-412 Shankill Road, BT13 3AE on Friday 17th April at 9.45am,
and afterwards to Roselawn Crematorium for 11.20am.

Family flowers only please, donations in memory of Violet may be made to
N.I. Chest Heart and Stroke at violetclarke.muchloved.com

Will be sadly missed by her loving family circle.
The Lord is my Shepherd.

15/04/2026

Funeral Arranger - Part Time - (16 hours per week) £10,575- £10,800 Sandy Close Funeral Services - Belfast - Shankill Road Part Time Working Pattern: Thursday and Friday- 09:00-17:00 About You You may have worked in the Funeral industry for many years or maybe you’re

13/04/2026

IRWIN RICHARD (PAUL) Died 3rd April 2026. Late of Apple Mews Care Home.

Beloved son of Elizabeth (Lila) and the late William George (Geordie), much loved brother of Ann, George, Elaine, John and Mark, also a cherished uncle.

Funeral service will be held from his mother’s home,10 St. Georges Gardens, Sandy Row on Thursday 16th April 2026 at 1.45pm and afterwards to Roselawn Crematorium for 3.20pm.

No flowers by request. Donations in lieu if desired to: Apple Mews Care Home
95 Cathedral Road, Armagh BT6 8AB.

Loved and remembered always by his entire family circle.

Peacefully sleeping.

09/04/2026

Gillian Finlay – Passed away April 5, 2026. At hospital. Late of Hopewell Crescent.

Funeral Service will be held in Roselawn Crematorium, 127 Ballygowan Road, Crossnacreevy, BT5 7TZ
on Wednesday 15th April at 10.40am.

Family flowers only please, donations in memory of Gillian may be made to
N.I. Chest Heart and Stroke
at gillianfinlay.muchloved.com

Gill was born on 4th January 1969. She grew up in Burscough in England. She went to Burscough Methodist Primary School then Priory High School.
Brothers Roy and Kevin and Sister’s Susan, Kerry, and Christine, daughter of Sylvia and Keith. Sylvia used to work in the local corner shop knew Sam as a customer, she told Gill about the Irish lad who had moved into a bungalow with 2 other guys, a room became available and Gill moved in and that's how Gill and Sam met. Work became dry so Sam decided to come back home then after that Gill decided to move to Belfast as she had never been out of the village before. First house they moved into was up the Glencairn, then created a beautiful family with three amazing kids. She loved her family. She loved going out for family trips. She just loved spending time with her kids. Her favourite place was Millisle. She used to have everyone tortured with Enrique's songs. Every school morning waking her kids up for school, Enrique was always blasting from her cd player.

You’re a beloved mum and beloved nanny to be. Mummy you were our hero. So many memories we had with you, and we will cherish them for rest of our lives. I really hope that you are proud of us. You were our best friend. You have always wanted to become a nanny and now you are. Unfortunately, you’re not going to meet your granddaughter, but she will be reminded who her granny was. A Beautiful angel will be looking over us now . we are going to miss you dearly and please look over us and give us strength to get through this and your beloved husband. We are going to miss you joking about and your goofy laughs you just being you. You meant everything to us.

You will be deeply missed by the whole family circle. Much loved wife to Samuel mother to Sammy Kirstie and Ryan soon to be grandmother to Bella rose and mother-in-law to Nathan, Sam, and Courtney, and sadly missed by Gills best friend Rosey. Also, a mum and granny to her fur babies Rocky, Oero, Lucky and Dug. Mummy, unfortunately rocky had to go the same day as you as he wasn’t well, so you have your sidekick back and I promise that I will look after Oreo for you mummy.

You have now been set free from the pain. You are very loved.
We love you so much. Goodbye mummy, hope you’re at rest now.
Dance in the sky with nanny and your daddy and your best friend Eva.

To my darling wife
Thank you for becoming my wife and giving me three amazing children along the way. We had some great times together as a family and was lucky enough to watch our children grow up together to where they are now. You have been taken away from us so suddenly especially with our first granddaughter Bella rose about to make an appearance in a few weeks’ time. You will be sadly missed and remembered always. We all wish you a magical journey to your destination and hope you are rewarded. Goodbye Gill love you always. Your loving husband Sam.

09/04/2026

April is Stress Awareness Month and we’re gently reminding ourselves to pause, breathe, and reconnect with what brings us peace. Together, let’s embrace a hearted approach, one rooted in kindness, empathy, and genuine community care.

How We Can Support Each Other This Month:

Share Small Acts of Kindness
A warm smile, a thoughtful message, or simply showing someone you’re listening can brighten their entire day.

Prioritise SelfNourishment
Rest, restore, and treat yourself with the same gentleness you offer others. Selfcare strengthens us all.

Stay Connected
Stress feels lighter when we support one another. Reach out, check in, and build a kinder, more compassionate community, together.

As we move through Stress Awareness Month, may we each take one small, loving step toward greater calm and connection.

What’s one gentle act of kindness you can offer today?

05/04/2026

03/04/2026

✝️ Today, we are sharing a small gesture of kindness with our community this Easter.

If you are passing by our funeral home, you may notice a basket of Easter treats outside. Please feel free to take one.

We hope it brings a little light to your day, and wish you peace and blessings this Easter.

23/03/2026

Planning ahead can bring real peace of mind

With a Choice Funeral Plan, you can pay towards your funeral in advance and take comfort in knowing everything is taken care of when the time comes.

✔ One less worry for the future
✔ More certainty today
✔ Ease future stress

SAVE £150 on Choice Funeral Plans

If you'd like to find out more, pop into branch for a chat.