Kathleenwillbedeeplymissedand willbeforeverfondlyremembered
KATHLEEN McConnon, Fr Murray Park, Dundalk, who died recently, was a lady who enjoyed the simple pleasures in life and was happiest when with her family.
She passed away peacefully on 24 April, 2018, after a brief illness, and surrounded by her heartbroken children and grandchildren in Blackrock Clinic, Dublin.
Aged 74, Kathleen was born on 7 October, 1943, in Gorey, Co. Wexford to parents Thomas and Gretta McEnteggart.
She was the eldest of 10 children and educated in Castletown Girls School in Dundalk until the age of 14.
Kathleen then went to work, starting off in the Linen Factory until taking up employment in PJ Carroll & Co., Church Street, where she met her husband, Oliver McConnon.
As was the custom at the time, she left work on getting married, and was a wonderful home-maker.
Kathleen and Oliver had three children and were also delighted at the arrival of three grandchildren.
She was happiest when her family called around to visit, and once they were happy she was happy.
Kathleen often spoke of the summers she spent in Wexford as a child with aunts and uncles.
She always had a friendly word for everyone and was a kind and generous neighbour who gave freely of her time to help and listen to others.
Kathleen took great pride in her children, Oliver, Elaine and Fiona; and in her grandchildren, Kenneth, Amy and Dylan, minding all three from babies through to school while their parents worked.
This caring nature was also exhibited when she looked after her own mother and then her husband Oliver.
In later years, she enjoyed watching television together with Oliver, and while the Soaps were not for her, Kathleen looked forward to game shows and programmes on antiques.
Sadly, her beloved Oliver passed away in September, 2016.
Kathleen loved a bit of gardening and always kept a tidy house and was a religious person attending church every day she could.
In 2017 she fulfilled a lifetime ambition when she had a holiday in Rome, where she toured the Vatican and participated in an audience with his holiness Pope Francis.
She was a lady of routine which did her no harm.
She was predeceased by her parents; husband, Oliver; and brothers, Thomas and Paddy, both of whom died in infancy.
Kathleen is survived and sadly missed by her son, Oliver; daughters, Elaine and Fiona; grandchildren, Kenneth, Amy and Dylan; brothers, Gerard (Oaklawns), Harry (Greenacres), Jack (Greenwood Drive) and Joseph (Fr Murray Park); sisters, Margaret English (Ashling Park), Agnes Ferguson (Ashling Park) and May Norton (Fr Murray Park); brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins.
After reposing at home on Thursday and Friday, her remains were removed on Saturday, 28 April, to St Nicholas’ Church for the funeral Mass celebrated by Fr Mark O’Hagan Adm. who also delivered the eulogy.
Readings were given by daughter, Elaine and niece, Emma Sharkey; while prayers of the faithful were led by nephews and niece, Gary Norton, Michael English and Gráinne Ferguson.
Grand-daughter, Amy McDonald and Hannah O’Brien participated in the offertory procession.
Music was provided by organist, Brendan McCourt, accompanied by the beautiful singing of Sarah McCourt.
Kathleen’s popularity and the regard in which she was held were reflected in the large number of people who called to the house and attended the funeral.
Burial took place in St Patrick’s Cemetery.
Kathleen will be deeply missed but always lovingly remembered.