Colette is Ulster Mum Of Year

Stradone mother-of-four and grandmother-of-five, Colette Smith, has been crowned Ulster Mum Of The Year. Colette, who is featured in the current issue of Woman's Way magazine as their overall winner for the year in this region, told The Anglo-Celt that it means more to her than any prize that her daughter even thought of putting her forward for the competition. "First and foremost, I'm chuffed that Louise nominated me. That was enough, even if it never went any further," said Colette, a Sligo native who moved to Cavan when she married Sean Smith and went on to have children, Sharon, Louise, David and Colum. It was her daughter, Louise Conway, who submitted the letter of nomination, writing: "These days my mum is a mother, grandmother and, most importantly, an inspiration to me. She is my best friend and in years to come, when my kids have gotten past the part where I embarrass them for whatever reason, I pray they can look back and see me as I see my mum... a hero." Louise also told in her letter of how Colette has overcome breast cancer twice, having first being diagnosed when her children were aged only four to 14. "I thought I would never see them grow up. Now I'm looking forward to the youngest, Colum's, wedding," said the proud mum. "How lucky I am to be here." Colette's sister, Una, and sister-in-law, Madge, both died of cancer in 1987, the same year Colette was first diagnosed. Colette, who enjoys golf and travel, volunteers for the Reach To Recovery organisation, which offers help and counselling to cancer patients. As Louise puts it, when patients meet people like Colette, who has been clear of cancer 23 years, these survivors "give them hope and tell them their own stories, something that no doctor or specialist could offer them". She says her mum's strength in beating cancer twice "gives you an idea of how strong my mother is and how she fights for what she wants and never gives up".