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A Co Fermanagh town was in shock tonight after the tragic deaths of an elderly couple. 

Ann Barbour (83) was found dead in her Enniskillen home by a neighbour last night. After an extensive search by police divers, the body of her husband Bill, an 88-year-old retired school teacher, was recovered tonight from a lake near the house off the Sligo Road.

Mrs Barbour had suffered from Alzheimer’s in recent years and Mr Barbour had been her primary carer.

Police are still investigating the circumstances.

The parents of four were married for more than 60 years and friends have described them as a loving and devoted couple.

Mr Barbour, who was originally from Bangor, Co Down, spent 40 years teaching classics in Portora Royal School in Enniskillen, eventually retiring in 1982.

Former colleague and current vice principal Robert Northridge said anyone who knew the Barbours would be deeply saddened by the tragedy.

“Bill was a very talented man who gave his life to school mastering in the old sense and his and Ann’s deaths are a sad loss to this whole community,” he said.

“They were a well respected couple with many friends and I don’t think they would have had an enemy in the world.”

Mrs Barbour, a housewife who spent a period working as secretary at Portora’s now closed preparatory school Gloucester House, was originally from England. She moved to Fermanagh with her husband in the early 1950s and they had lived in their Sligo Road home for more than 40 years.

Mr Barbour, a first class honours graduate from Trinity College Dublin, was heavily involved with the Royal British Legion and was also a founder member of the Alliance Party in Fermanagh, having stood as a candidate in local elections.

A spokesman for the party passed on condolences.

“This tragic news is deeply shattering,” he said.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Barbour family and wider family circle at this terrible time.”

Michelle Gildernew, Sinn Fein MP for the area, also expressed sympathy.

“My thoughts at this time are very much with the family of the lady, who will no doubt be under a great deal of trauma and stress,” she said.

“This is a well known and respected family in the area and my heart goes out to them at this very difficult time.”