actually happened. it’s devastating’
AFTERWARDS, IT WAS VERY STRANGE: WE COULDN’T EVEN SIT AROUND THE TABLE AND HAVE A CUP OF TEA. YOU HAVE TO WALK AWAY FROM THE GRAVEYARD AND JUST LEAVE IT
you needed something good to happen. There wasn’t much change over the 12 days she was in there,’ Willie said.
Due to the coronavirus, visitor numbers were restricted in her room, but Willie was able to be by her side and to hold her hand as she slipped away on April 1.
‘ The nurses let me in to her. I was able to hold her hand as they turned off the machine and then she slowly faded away.’
Hundreds of people lined the roads as the funeral procession made its way 14 kilometres from Wellingtonbridge to St Aidan’s Church in Poulfur.
Along the way, one of her friends waved a fanned out deck of cards at the family in a touching tribute to Kathleen, a gesture of love even in this time of physical distancing and harsh, if necessary, restrictions on funeral attendance numbers.
Willie said the presence of so many people familiar to their mother along the roads gave the family a big lift on what was a surreal, harrowing day for them.
Describing the entire ordeal as ‘very bleak’, Willie said: ‘We couldn’t even wake her. We had to put her in the hearse and everyone else had to stay out in the cars, except for the immediate family.’
As two of her children, Denis and Conrad, were ill with coronavirus and another, Patrick, was away in Texas – unable to come back due to coronavirus restrictions – not all of Kathleen’s children could attend the burial.
Willie said: ‘ The grave was all cordoned off with cones; it was very strange and it all happened very quickly: 15 to 20 minutes and it was over. It was something way different to what you’d expect. We weren’t able to grieve properly. None of the family could even get together.’
Mary said: ‘ The neighbours have been so good. You could see many of their hearts were breaking standing at the roadside. I want to thank each and every one of them; it’s something we will never forget. Afterwards, it was very strange: we couldn’t even sit around the table and have a cup of tea. You have to walk away from the graveyard and just leave it.’
The family wish to thank the doctors and nurses at Wexford General Hospital.
‘She got the best of care. We couldn’t have asked for any better. They were so good. Everyone was walking on eggshells over (coronavirus) there. We can’t thank the medical staff enough for their bravery, dedication, and commitment to all the sick/injured; these are our true heroes.’
Kathleen was laid to rest beside Denis following prayers.
Over the past week, the Cadogan family have been inundated with hundreds of messages of love and support, recalling a smiling woman who was a loyal friend and a generous person with a great sense of humour.
She is deeply missed by her loving family; sons in law, daughters in law, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. Kathleen was predeceased by her brother Francie.