Mrs Kathleen Murphy

MRS Kathleen Murphy passed away peacefully at her home, 32 Ardglass Road, Kilclief, on January 13, surrounded her loving family after a long and fulfilled life. She was in her 96th year.

Kathleen was born at Grangewalls, Bright, the youngest daughter of Johnny and Frances Millar. She married Richard (Dickie) Murphy and spent all of her married life in Kilclief where she reared a family of seven children.

A hard-working, kind, caring and generous woman, she was dedicated to her children, grandchildren and, later, great grandchildren. With her husband she enjoyed a great social life, which included dancing and meeting friends. She had a great zest for life and a lifelong gift for making anyone she met feel special.

Kathleen was a very spiritual lady and was devoted to the Blessed Sacrament. She enjoyed a special relationship with the late Fr Colm McGrady, Fr Brendan Mulhall and, latterly, Fr Peter O’Kane. All were welcomed to her house by the signature roaring fire and at the festive season with her famous Christmas pudding.

Kathleen had a great sense of humour which endeared her to all and a prodigious memory which helped her recall many aspects of her early life. She was very much the centre of her family, was loved by all and is sorely missed.

She was predeceased by her husband in 1996 and by her brothers, Tommy and Bob, and sisters Cissie, Annie and Sadie. She is survived by her children, Seamus, Frances, Susan, Paddy, Peter, Anne and Joseph, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, nephews, nieces, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The family would like to pay tribute to her son, Paddy, who was her devoted guardian over the past few years.

Fr Peter O’Kane celebrated requiem mass in St Malachy’s Church, Kilclief, which was followed by interment in the adjoining cemetery.