Gentle Cathy was happiest among family and friends
CATHY Atkinson (nee Keating) of Booladurragh, Ballindaggin, who died recently, will be remembered as a kind, gentle and undemanding person who was happiest in the company of her family and friends.
Cathy passed away peacefully away in Knockeen Nursing Home on April 17. She was in her 89th year.
She is sadly missed by her sons Tom and Paddy, both of Ballindaggin, and her daughters Cathy (Glynn) and Deirdre (Adamstown); her sister, Sr. Christina; her grandchildren Katie, Denis, John, Niamh, Sean, Jack, Conor, Aidan and Kate; her great-granddaughter Ellie, and her extended family and friends.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband Dinny and her siblings Molly, Sr. Joachim, Betty, Sr. Jacinta, Mike and Owen.
Born to the Keating family in Coolree, Ballindaggin, Cathy spoke of good memories growing up, going to work in Burke Roches in Enniscorthy and enjoying dances.
She married Dinny in 1961, with Dinny’s brother Willie as best man and her sister Molly as bridesmaid, both of whom were taken too early.
The couple were blessed with four children and Cathy spent a happy time rearing her family and working on the farm. Her family were everything to her. She had a contentment in her life and her children can say that they rarely heard a cross word or a raised voice, although sometimes there was the threat of a wooden spoon.
They enjoyed visiting people’s houses including Cathy’s sister Betty, the Ryans, Granny Keating on a Sunday and Dinny’s family too. Some of her nieces and nephews will have fond memories of time spent in Booladurragh.
Cathy was a regular Mass-goer and although quietly religious in her own way, she would never have made the cut as a nun despite having three sisters with a vocation.
She said her prayers more privately than publicly. To her, it was more about being a good person. Saturday night Mass also meant a visit to Cella in the post office and craic with Annie and then up to Nolans to hear Dinny tell a few yarns.
She loved her grandchildren and enjoyed good fun with them. Each one was her favourite. All her grandchildren were very good to her and have their own stories to tell about their grandmother.
Dinny’s passing 17 years ago, was a huge loss to Cathy as they went everywhere together, travelling to camogie matches the length of the country. She also enjoyed trips away with her friend Mary Kehoe.
She lived in Booladurragh until she was 87. In later years, dementia took hold. She rediscovered knitting at this time and everyone has a scarf that she made for them.
She also turned to knitting squares for Africa, which filled her with great pride.
Cathy was buried with her husband Dinny in Ballindaggin graveyard after funeral Mass in St. Colman’s Church. A memorial Mass will be held at a later date.