Kathleen was a devoted wife and mother
THE Gorey community was shocked and saddened at the sudden death of Kathleen Swords of Cluainin who passed away, with her family by her bedside, on Sunday, March 5, University Hospital, Tralee following a very brief illness while on holiday.
Born on November 5, 1930, Kathleen was the middle child of nine born to Martin and Eileen Gregan in Ballycanew.
Kathleen attended Ballycanew National School and the former Gorey Technical Secondary School. She worked in the hotel industry in many towns and cities in the south east, the final work location being the former Hoynes hotel in Arklow where she was the dining room manager.
Kathleen married Gorey man Paddy Swords in 1958 and he preceded her on December 21, 2008. Theirs was a long life together through the many challenges and highs that come with living together for a little over 50 years. They were blessed with four children, Mary, Charley, Des and the late Brendan.
While a housewife and home maker, Kathleen was always enterprising, whether it was with the Aran knitting for sale to the Yanks, having foreign students or curing sheepskins. Additionally she was always at home preparing meals and available to her children throughout their childhood and indeed into their adult lives.
She was an active member of the Ladies Social Club for many years where handcrafts, baking and social outings were much enjoyed.
Joining Bridge classes and then membership of the Creagh and Tara Clubs, provided an enhanced social experience, initially for both Paddy and Kathleen. In latter years this was the main social event twice weekly for Kathleen as she continued with the card games both in the clubs and with the many frequent visitors to Cluainin. Kathleen always spoke fondly of these gatherings saying ‘It’s not the cards I go for, it’s the people’.
Subsequent to Paddy’s death Kathleen lived an independent, full life enjoying the visits and interaction with her four grandchildren, Brendan, Kate, Hieu and Tuan. Always enjoying the car journey, Kathleen was regularly to be found on many a shopping trip, heading to Dublin to meet up with the ‘girls’ from her working life or indeed heading off to stay with family members.
Unwavering in her faith in God, Kathleen was a daily mass goer with great devotion to the rosary, which was said nightly. Also the year would not pass without the regular visit to Our Lady’s Island and a trip to Knock.
A deep sadness remained with Kathleen after the death of her youngest child Brendan. She is now reunited forever with both him and husband Paddy.
Kathleen is deeply missed by her children and grandchildren, sisters, brother, sisters-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, nephews, nieces and many friends and neighbours.
Kathleen’s Month’s Mind Mass will be celebrated in St Michael’s Church on Sunday, April 2, at 10.30am. May she rest in peace. Ar dheis De go raibh a h-anam uasal dilis.