Kitty Brennan was goodfriend and neighbour to so many
IT was with deep sadness and disbelief that the residents of Dunleer and the surrounding area heard of the death of their great friend and neighbour Kathleen (Kitty) Brennan in her 98th year.
Kitty passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 22nd after a short illness with her family around her at her home at Stonehouse, Dunleer.
She was born Kathleen Smith in the parish of Dunleer on April 1st, 1920.
As a child she went to Dromin National School, sometime later after her school days, Kitty went to work and served her time as a cook in Rathescar House.
It was during this period that she developed her skills and passion for this wonderful love of hers and became a household name for her famous brown bread and apple tarts she used to make.
Some years later she met the love of her life Thomas (Tom) Brennan.
They got married on February 11th 1952 and later resided at the home of Tom’s birthplace - Stonehouse, Dunleer and were blessed with three of a family, two sons Harry and Gerard and one daughter Una.
Kitty was predeceased by her husband Tom in 1982.
Kitty was a very self sufficient woman where she used to grow her own vegetables and have her own free range hens for those fresh eggs every morning.
Kitty’s generosity and kindness was amazing towards people that knew her and people in general.
She had a larger than life personality and anybody that entered the homestead, she always had the kettle on for a cup of tean and had time for some wonderful conversation.
She was always a very early morning riser and had a great love for the outdoor life.
She had a keen interest in sport and loved to watch the Gaelic Football on the TV.
Kitty loved to listen to Country and Western Music and her favourite singer was Daniel O’Donnell who she went to see in concert as a surprise birthday gift for her 90th birthday and got chatting to him after the show.
Kitty was a wonderful mother and a granny to her grandchildren and her presence around Stonehouse will be sadly missed by everybody.
She is survived by her sons Henry and Gerard and daughter Una McGinnity (Drumconrath, Ballybay).
Sadly missed by her son-in-law Bernard McGinnity, daughters-in-law Hazel (nee Finegan), Eileen (nee Owens) grandchildren Yvonne, Sarah, Tomasina, Niamh, Thomas and Francis, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
Her remains were removed from her home on Monday morning April 25th to the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Tenure.
Funeral Mass took place at 11am celebrated by Fr Michael Hickey assisted by Fr PJ McGinnity from Castleblayney.
After Mass she was laid to rest beside her husband Tom in Mullary Cemetery.