Cathywasfuntobearound andhadasmileforeveryone
THERE was great sadness at the news that the woman affectionately known to all as ‘Mam’ had passed away recently.
Local woman Mrs Cathy Kehoe, wife of James ‘Jim’ Kehoe, Cametigue, Bunclody, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, March 26, surrounded by Jim and their children.
Cathy (nee Doyle) was born in ‘ The Lane’, Ballindaggin, to a farming background. She married Jim Kehoe on October 19, 1955, and celebrated over 64 years of wedded bliss.
Jim and Cathy always worked hard to provide for their family. Cathy wasn’t afraid of hard work, whether it was inside or outside, herding cattle or herding children.
They had many wonderful trips abroad, visiting their children and grandchildren in America, Canada, Scotland and England. But their favourite trips together were always Lourdes.
She spent over 50 years with her ICA friends and was a regular participant on their trips to Our Lady’s Island and Knock.
In later years she joined the Bunclody Active Retired and Bunclody Day Care, who she also travelled the country with. She loved these trips and outings and she loved the many friends she made along the way. Some of her most enjoyable nights out were with her bingo friends. Cathy was also a lifelong pioneer.
She reared ten children – Jimmy (RIP), Eamon, Joan, Michael, PJ, Mairead, Martina, Pauline, Colette and Colm – who in turn gave her 33 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren, with more on the way. Her grandchildren are scattered all over the world, London, America, Australia and Holland.
Cathy devoted her life to her children.
She lived and enjoyed a simple life, she was humble to a fault, neither did she brag nor want praise. She was fun to be with, fun to be around, she loved a good yarn and good company, she just loved people. She always had a smile and a greeting for everybody she met, whether she knew them or not.
Without doubt Cathy’s faith is what made her the woman she was.
Her character and belief enabled her to get out of bed one stormy Sunday morning in August 2018 when Pope Francis visited Ireland. Her beloved sister had passed away the day before, but Cathy knew she wanted to see the Pope and pray for her sister Marie.
She is now reunited in heaven, in the arms of her eldest son, Jimmy, who died seven years ago. May she rest in peace.
A Memorial Mass to celebrate Cathy’s life will be offered when the present restrictions are lifted.