Kit Nolan came from a well-known Gorey family

THE death on June 5 last of Catherine Nolan from Cluainin, Gorey, brought much sadness to her extended family and numerous friends. She was 88 years of age.

Catherine was fondly known as Kit throughout her long life. Those who knew Kit will recall a lovely lady with a loveable and very generous disposition.

She was one of a large family born on February 13, 1929, to Benjamin Breen and Catherine Cullen of Church Street, and grew up happily among family and friends. She was educated at the nearby Loreto Abbey.

Kit’s family – the Breens of Church Street, were one of the town’s leading families and ran one of Gorey’s great business enterprises.

The Breens were established

The late Kit Nolan.

throughout Leinster as poultry dealers and during the 1940’s, their lorries travelled between Gorey and Dublin twice or three times a day.

The family employed many people from the town, and the women in the Breen family took charge of the busy shop.

Kit, in the socialising and tender years of youth, chose the love of her life, a young Luke Nolan from Gorey’s Thomas Street, to become her lifetime partner.

The happy couple were blessed with a very loving family, including: Brian; Henry fondly known as Harry; Gerard; their twin daughters Catherine and Carmel; followed by their sister Jacinta.

Friends and neighbours have fond memories of Kit in her younger years during the fine summer days, taking her place outside her Cluainin home, with her adult children and good neighbours enjoying the craic.

This was a tradition which began in her Church Street home when Kit was a young adult among her many relatives.

Kit and Luke had a happy life in their Cluainin home. They passed on their friendly dispositions to their children and when Luke passed on, a permanent void was left with the loss of a good husband and father.

As the years passed, Kit’s health began to deteriorate, but with the love of her children, she kept her sense of humour to the fore, despite her suffering.

The most important part of Kit’s life was her deep religious faith, which stood well to her throughout her long life. She was of the old school of belief handed down from previous generations, her parents and the teaching she received from the Loreto nuns.

For Kit, although an octogenarian, every day was new, especially with her children at her side to care for her and attend to her needs.

Kit’s demise also left a great void in her home.

Kit’s Requiem Mass was a joy for those present, recalling her faith and love of family. Many of her family and friends contributed to the moving ceremony and wonderful music.

In the prayers of the faithful, special thanks were accorded to the priests of the parish, and especially her good friend Fr Boggan, who frequently visited Kit at her home, giving many hours of spiritual guidance with time to share a few happy stories.

A prayer of appreciation from Millie Nolan, Brian’s wife, thanked all who looked after Kit – her family and friends and especially her daughter Catherine, her carers and the wonderful staff of Gorey District Hospital, who showed caring and compassion in the last week of Kit’s life.

Prayers from Eileen Nolan, Harry’s wife, gave thanks for Nana Kit’s long life and the love she showed to all her family, especially in her prayers.

Kit was very grateful, as is the Nolan family, to the staff of Florence House for their wonderful care of Jacinta over the past 20 years and the staff were also remembered in the prayers during the funeral service.

Kit was predeceased by her loving husband Luke and son Harry, RIP.

She is deeply regretted by her sons Brian and Gerard and daughters Catherine, Carmel and Jacinta, her sister Nancy Hughes Gorey, son-inlaw, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and a wide circle of extended family, relatives and friends.

May she rest in peace.