Sabina ‘Bina’ Harrison (nee Ruane) turned 90 last November and celebrated surrounded by more than 90 family, friends and neighbours at the Leeds Irish Centre. Bina has always maintained strong connections to her native Mayo.
Born in Comminch, Castlehill, North Mayo in 1935, Bina was the fifth of seven children to Patrick and Bridget Ruane (née Gaughan). She grew up happily alongside siblings Joseph (RIP), Jack (RIP), Michael (RIP), Sr Mary Agnes, Patrick and Bridget.
Aged 15, following her sister’s path, she left home to work in service for a doctor in Sligo, returning home only once a year. In March 1954, she joined the wave of Mayo emigrants who sought new opportunities in England, leaving Comminch for Leeds, a city that had a strong Irish community, with many people from North Mayo taking up residence there. On arrival she stayed with another Comminch native, Hugh O’Malley and his wife Annie, settling in quickly and beginning a long career in hospitality.
In 1955, she met PJ Harrision at a dance in Bradford as she needed a friendly face to show her the way to the bus stop. In November 1957, eight days after celebrating her 22nd birthday, PJ and Bina were married in St Augustine’s Church in Leeds.
They went on to build a warm family life, welcoming their children Michael, Emmanuel and Sabina, followed by grandchildren Ailish, Christopher, Grace and Anna, and greatgrandchildren Louie, Jae, Noah and Ethan. PJ sadly passed away shortly before their 60th wedding anniversary after a long illness.
Throughout their lives they kept a strong Irish connection with friends and family at home and in Leeds. They returned to Ireland frequently and had a second home in Bonniconlon for nearly 30 years.
All of Bina’s friends in Mayo and Leeds extend the very best to her and many more years of good health and happiness.
