Ritawasagiftedandgenerous lady whowasdevotedtoherfamily
RITA Kirk of Rathmore, Kilkerley who died peacefully in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital on April 5th was a very gifted lady known also for her generosity and sense of humour. She devoted most of her life to her family while she also held down highly responsible posts during her working years.
These were broken up with her marriage which entailed a spell living in England where her two children were born, but very sadly within a few short years of the family moving home suffered the singular heartbreak of the tragic death of her son, Thomas.
Rita was the youngest of eight in the family of Peter and Rosanna Duffy consisting of five boys and three girls. She was educated at Castletown Girls Primary and St. Vincent’s Secondary School, and was an extremely bright student who won a scholarship to university but regretfully was unable to avail of it.
After her Leaving Certificate she went to work in McDonnell’s Coal Yard where she was employed as a bookkeeper in the office. She met with Thomas (Tom) Kirk from Channonrock who was a builder and worked in his later years as a stonemason. They married in 1957 and shortly after moved to England.
They lived for 13 years in Middlesborough where their two children Catherine and Thomas were born. They decided to return to Ireland to raise their family and moved back to Dundalk in 1972. Tom built a new home for the family in Kilkerley.
This remained the family res- idence and Rita lived there for the remainder of her life. Very sadly within a couple of years of settling in Kilkerley son Thomas tragically died as a result of a road accident. The couple bore his loss with great courage and dignity and strove to carry on with their lives as best they could.
Rita had opted to discontinue work when her children arrived, and dedicate herself to the full time role of housewife and caring for her family and husband. She returned however to the work place in the late 70s taking on the job of Office Manager with Swift Screw at their premises at Ard Easmuinn. She continued in that role for over ten years.
In recent years she resided with her daughter, Catherine and her family. She was a very integral and cherished part of the family, who was held with great affection especially by her grandchildren whom she cared for.
She enjoyed being very much involved in their formative years and activities in which they en- gaged, such as Irish dancing. She travelled across the country to Donegal, Kerry and Dublin to feiseanna in which they took part.
Though sometimes in poor health for the last couple of years she remained active and only last autumn attended a Feis in Killarney. She enjoyed many holidays with the family and spending time in France in the summer.
She frequently when younger visited her sister Eilish and family, living in Cheltenham and enjoyed the countryside there as well as holidaying in Dorset and Devon. She looked forward also to their regular holidays in Dundalk.
A lady with a very bright and quick intellect, she cultivated an extensive general knowledge, and was very fond of quizzes and crosswords.
She loved to receive visitors, especially, her nieces, nephews and neighbours at her home and engage in craic and chat. She looked forward also to regular visits from her Parish Priest Fr. Gerry Campbell. She was very generous and was known for her great sense of humour, quick wit and ability to listen and offer sound advice.
She shared with husband Tom a love of gardening and between them they kept a lovely family garden. She maintained that passion and engagement with the garden until a couple of years ago with a great love of flowers, shrubs and trees. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed preparing a hot meal for her grandchildren coming in from school.
She was admitted to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital before Christmas but didn’t manage to return to full health in the months spent at home thereafter. She succeeded however in continuing to enjoy regular lunch outings with her daughter and family.
She was predeceased by husband Tom in 1992, as well as son, Thomas jnr in 1976, sister, Maura, brothers, Peter, Mick, John, Frank and Jem.
She is survived by daughter, Catherine Shevlin, sister, Eilish, son-in-law, Dermot, grandchildren, Thomas, Katie, Luke, nephew Joe and many nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
After reposing at her home, Rita’s remains were removed to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Kilkerley where family friend Father Jimmy McElroy SM celebrated Mass and gave the eulogy.
Symbols of her life were laid at the altar by granddaughter, Katie, grandson, Luke, nieces, Briege and Anne and nephew, Danny.
The Readings were given by grandson, Thomas and grandnephew, David, while the Prayers of the Faithful were led by nieces, Maureen and Eilish and grandnephew, Niall.
The Offertory gifts were taken up by grandchildren, Katie and Luke.
Daughter, Catherine read a reflection on Rita’s life after Holy Communion.
The beautiwful music was provided by the Kilkerley adult choir, and first cousin Peter Kirk, who sang two solo hymns.
The very large number of mourners who visited her home coupled with the attendance at the Mass and funeral bore eloquent testament to how Rita was regarded in the community.