Death of well-known Lorrha woman

The death has taken place of Kathleen Browne, Redwood, Lorrha. Kathleen passed peacefully from this life on Tuesday, October 27, in the loving care of the management and staff at Portumna Retirement Village. Née Harty and originally from Main Street, Cloughjordan, Kathleen was in her 97th year just three weeks short of her 98th birthday.

She came to Redwood in 1966 on her marriage to John Browne, who predeceased her in 2007.

Kathleen’s life was centred on hard work, family and faith. Before marrying John, she worked alongside her mother in the family drapery shop in Cloughjordan. She and John made their home together and raised their son, Liam. Kathleen played an active role in farm life. She also loved her garden, spending long hours outdoors during the summer tending her flowers and vegetables and putting her apples, blackberries and gooseberries to good use in homemade jams and delicious apple tarts. She enjoyed driving her red Ford Fiesta to local villages and neighbouring towns, where she collected the supplies and essentials needed to keep the farm running smoothly.

A woman of her time, she was involved in Macra na Feirme and the Legion of Mary in Cloughjordan, later joining the ICA in Lorrha and Active Retirement. She was also a member of the Altar Society in Redwood. A regular reader of current affairs, she read the Nenagh Guardian and Irish Independent from cover to cover. She enjoyed the company of family and friends, showband-era music and attending dinner dances and concerts. Deeply religious, she prayed daily and made pilgrimages to Knock, Clonfert and Lourdes. Quiet and unassuming by nature, Kathleen was also warm, practical and good-humoured, approaching life with quiet determination.

Predeceased by her beloved husband John, parents William and Mary and her brother Paschal. Kathleen will be sadly missed by her loving son Liam, Liam's partner David, her sister-in-law Eileen, her nieces and nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, her neighbours, relatives and friends to whom sympathy is extended.

After Funeral Mass in St Ruadhán’s Church, Lorrha, on Friday, October 30, Kathleen was laid to rest beside her beloved husband John. May her gentle soul rest in peace.