Kitty was a pillar of local community
A large congregation of mourners quietly filed into St Anne’s Church in Rathnure on Friday afternoon to bid a fond farewell to a real pillar of the local area.
The quiet community at the foot of the Blackstairs was completely at a loss following the passing of the Catherine ‘Kitty’ Codd (née Reddy). Along with her late husband, hurling and music legend Martin Codd, Kitty was part of the life and soul of Rathnure and the couple involved themselves in every facet of life in the village. This was reflected by the fine turnout at St Anne’s Church on Friday, gathered to pay their respects alongside Kitty’s grieving family.
Kitty was born and reared in Rathnure, something which she was immensely proud of. She attended school locally before meeting the love of her life, the late Martin, and the pair set about creating a family of their own. They welcomed nine loving children and family life became the centre of Kitty’s world. She also cared for Martin towards the end of his days, as well as her mother, her aunt May and her mother-in-law with a compassionate touch that was to be found throughout her life.
Addressing the large congregation, Kitty’s son Austin noted how community was a major part of her life. She enjoyed great times with the ICA, going to the bingo locally and attending active retirement evenings. Apart from this, she had a great love of sports and was passionate about hurling and camogie, especially when Wexford were winning!
While her passion for the black and amber of Rathnure ran deep, Austin noted how in later years she also could be seen cheering on the green and white of Cloughbawn or the red of Monageer as her grandchildren took to the field following in the sporting footsteps of their famous grandfather.
Austin noted how much his mother valued her independence. To this end, her little red Nissan Micra was her prized possession and could often be seen parked outside Conran’s while the music sessions were on. It was the music and not the alcohol that Kitty was there for as she was a firm pioneer.
Kitty’s faith was extremely important to her and she regularly attended Mass at St Anne’s Church in Rathnure. Fr Brian Broaders noted that she ‘lived a life of prayer, hope and overwhelming trust in God.’ He also added that there was something about Martin and Kitty that was a ‘sweet vintage’ as well as pointing out how Kitty ‘loved everything about Rathnure’ from the GAA club to the community hall and the church, where she volunteered and had even be due to tidy up the very week of her passing.
It was fitting that her funeral service took place in the centre of the village that occupied the centre of her world along with her beloved children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Following a moving service, Kitty was laid to rest in Rathnure Cemetery.
Kitty was the beloved wife of the late Martin, loving mother of Martin, Agnes, Mike, Pat, Mary, John, Jackie, Austin and Kevin and much loved sister of Betty and the late Mikie and Nancy. She is sadly missed by her loving sons, daughters, sister, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
May she rest in peace.