LETTERKENNY woman Kathleen McCafferty was remembered for her kind nature during her requiem Mass yesterday.
Kathleen, of Oldtown, Letterkenny, passed away peacefully at the Donegal Hospice earlier this week. Requiem Mass took place in St Eunan’s Cathedral yesterday, Wednesday, June 18, where large crowds gathered to say their final goodbyes.
Kathleen was born to parents Peter and Jennifer McCallion on November 27, 1939 in Ballyarnett, Springfield, Derry.
Addressing the congregation at Mass, Chief Celebrant Fr Damien Nejad said: “The home she grew up in was the field where Amelia Earhart landed her plane back in 1932.” Given the McCallion welcome, Amelia was fed and watered before she was whisked away to the City Hotel by the media and paparazzi.
Losing her father at a young age, a hard work ethic was very much grounded with Kathleen.
“She went to work in many places but she loved her time working in Fahan Orphanage near Buncrana,” Fr Nejad continued. “This path continued and in 1958 she chose to go and do nursing in Liverpool.”
During her time in Liverpool, she formed a close friendship with a young woman from Letterkenny called Mary McDaid.
Little did they know at the time that they would both go on to marry two brothers, Tommy and Danny McCafferty. “Kathleen married Tommy in Pennyburn Chapel,” Fr Nejad said.
“Just after they got married they moved into Tommy’s home place in the Oldtown, here in Letterkenny. They had seven children together.”
Continuing to carry her hard work ethic, Kathleen worked in many homes and catering establishments in the town, all while looking after the family home.
“It was a busy household as it was the main family hub for everyone, with an open door guaranteed,” Fr Nejad said.
Describing Tommy as the love of Kathleen’s life, Fr Nejad said the two of them could not be more different.
“Tommy was a witty person, he was funny, and he enjoyed a wee drink and a smoke,” he said.
“And unlike Kathleen, he was also full of mischief.
“Kathleen, on the other hand, was no nonsense, strong, steadfast, never a smoke or a drink would pass her lips, and she was sterner as well.
“But love was the winner.
“Their love for each other brought them very close and I personally saw that.”
Fr Nejad said Kathleen found it difficult when Tommy passed away in 2020.
“For Kathleen, life was never the same again,” he said.
“She was like a lost soul, her health deteriorated, and finally, Larissa Lodge became her home until a diagnosis presented her in her final days and she was brought to the Donegal Hospice.
“The family are very keen for me to stress she received wonderful care.”
After Mass, burial took place in Conwal Cemetery.
Ms McCafferty is predeceased by her loving husband Tommy.
She is deeply missed by her loving family Jerome (Trish), Paula (David), Siobhan (George), Catherine and family, Anne-Marie (John), Thomas, and Gerard (Gearldine).
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