Church tribute to Queen Mother

The Queen Mother was described as a "great and noble" lady

The Queen Mother has been remembered at church services across Northern Ireland on Easter Sunday.

The 101-year-old mother of Queen Elizabeth died peacefully in her sleep at Royal Lodge, Windsor, on Saturday afternoon.

Church of Ireland Primate Dr Robin Eames said her Christian faith was an important part of her life.

"She was a woman whose sense of duty was to carry her through some of the most important chapters in the life of this nation.

"A woman for whom duty and love and family and service were very sacred things," he said.

"Tenacity"

The Reverend Harold Good, the President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, said she epitomised the bravery of the British people in the face of the German Blitz during World War II.

"This same tenacity was seen in her advancing years when she refused to conform to the image of a very senior citizen," he said.

"In her life she had lost two of the people she most loved - her husband George and in recent days her youngest daughter Margaret.

"May the Christian faith which she shared with other members of her family bring them comfort at this time."

John Reid: Queen Mother had "special fondness" for province

Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid said the Queen Mother had "touched the hearts of generations of men and women" in the province.

He added: "I know that the Queen Mother had a special fondness for this part of the United Kingdom.

"That was reciprocated by the deep affection of so many in Northern Ireland for her gentleness and warmth."

Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers expressed their sympathy and sadness at the Queen Mother's death.

In a joint statement, David Trimble and Mark Durkan said there would be a "deep sense of loss" by people in the province at her death.

"In a remarkable life, spanning over 101 years, she saw much change and progress while also experiencing at first hand the conflict and upheaval of two world wars.

"From her first visit in 1924 as the Duchess of York, she visited Northern Ireland often and due to the affinity felt by many people here there will be a deep sense of loss at her passing."

Ian Paisley: "Great woman"

The leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, Ian Paisley, described the Queen Mother as a "great, noble person."

"I am deeply saddened to learn of her death," he said.

"She was not just a friend of Northern Ireland but a personal friend.

"This is a terrible personal loss for the Queen. Our sympathies go with her having lost her mother and the nation's Queen Mother."

'Remarkable'

A book of condolence will be opened at St Columb's Cathedral in Londonderry on Easter Monday while books will be opened at Hillsborough Castle, Belfast City Hall and Craigavon Civic Centre on Wednesday.

In the Republic of Ireland, Irish President Mary McAleese said she offered the Royal Family and the British people her nation's sympathies.

She said the Queen Mother was a "remarkable woman whose personality, fortitude and strength of character shone through in an extraordinary way to add her long life".

"She had many admirers in Ireland who will mourn her passing," she added.