An avid reader whose faith sustained her through great loss
THE passing of Kathleen Hurley-Maher on March 19 last was the cause of great shock and sadness to her family and to her neighbours in the closely knit community of Railway Terrace.
She was the last of the generation of parents who reared their children in the Terrace from the 1950’s to the early 1970’s, the end of an era.
She was born on November 7 1927 in Caherina in the Strand Road area of Tralee, to John and Catherine Kelly.
She was the youngest of seven children in a family of four boys and three girls. She attended Presentation Primary School where she excelled.
However, she was unfortunately unable to attend secondary school because at a young age she was given the task of minding two nieces and a nephew who were sent to Ireland for safe keeping during WWII.
Kathleen always regretted not being able to attend secondary school as she had a great love of education.
She was an avid reader and took particular interest in current affairs and politics.
She was a keen fan of Kerry football and according to her, there was nobody like the Gooch.
In her late teens, she met and fell in love with Michael Hurley from the Spa, a member of a well known railway family.
On July 20 1945, they married and after spending a few years in Ballymullen, in a house adjacent to the army barracks, they moved to a house in Railway Terrace which was to become their permanent home.
Their happy union produced eight children, five boys and three girls; their happy home was always a hive of activity with neighbours and their children coming and going.
Kathleen was a great manager of money and provided well for her family in a time when money was scarce; she instilled great confidence, a love of hard work and education in her children.
This stood greatly to them in later life as they each went on to pursue successful careers, qualities and values, all of which, they are indebted to their mother for.
In August 1981, Kathleen suffered the awful loss of her beloved husband Michael, when he died suddenly at a family wedding.
While this had a devastating effect, her deep faith sustained her in this time of grief. After a number of years, she joined the ICA and the Tralee Pitch and Putt Club.
She had a sweet soprano voice and became a member of St Brendan’s and St John’s Choirs; she was also an active member of the Tralee Musical Society.
She played a large part in her local community, becoming the first female officer in the CIE Credit Union, and she also vigorously campaigned for the building of the Tralee Community Hospital in Killerisk.
In the mid-1990’s, Kathleen married Denis ‘Dinny’ Maher on April 29 1996 in the exotic island of Barbados; they enjoyed travelling the world to places as far away as America, Australia and Europe.
Tragedy was to strike again however on June 6 2002 where her youngest son Cecil, who was 45 years old, passed away unexpectedly.
With the support of her family, neighbours and friends, Kathleen came to terms with her terrible loss.
More tragedy followed when Dinny died on January 6 2009; Kathleen’s eldest son, David, passed away on January 21 2012 due to complications during surgery in St Albans in UK. Kathleen’s faith and strength was an inspiration to the family in these difficult times.
Kathleen soldiered on and attended the 10am Daily Mass in St John’s Church and after mass would meet her friends in Harty’s Bar for coffee and a chat; later they met in The Grand, but as time passed, her friends also went to their heavenly rewards, but she continued her daily routine, such was her resolve and spirit.
Kathleen had a great relationship with all her grand children but especially with her grand-daughter, Grace Myers.
Grace attended Presentation and Secondary Schools and called to Nana’s house every day after school.
In her early days, Kathleen helped Grace with her lessons and Grace always put a smile on Nana’s face; they were great friends who shared many special moments together.
The Hurley Family greatly appreciate the care given to Kathleen by her day care workers, especially Margaret De Siano, Bridget Kerins, Nora Mai Young, Anne Kelter and Naima. They are also most thankful to Dr O’ Shea, who was Kathleen’s G.P. She had great respect for him and he showed her great care.
The Hurley Family are also grateful to the staff in Muckross Ward, for the special care they gave Kathleen in her final days.
Kathleen was also very well cared for in Baile Mhuire, Day Care Centre, where she attended three days a week – she looked forward to going there and spoke fondly of the friendships she formed there.
Kathleen is survived by her sister Anne, her children Vourneen, Kevin, Brendan, Noel, Deirdre and Angela, sons in law, daughters in law, grand children, great grandchildren, nephews and nieces.
Kathleen’s months mind Mass is being celebrated at 7.30pm on April 28 in The Dominicans.