Bekan bids farewell to Kathleen Morley (100)

The late Kathleen Morley

Michael Commins

MAYO centenarian, Kathleen Morley from Lissiniskea, Bekan, died peacefully in Claremount Nursing Home, Claremorris, at the weekend. She was just a few weeks short of her 101st birthday in April and was the oldest resident in the parish of Bekan.
Kathleen was the only girl in a family of seven born to Katie (nee Sloyan) and Pat Commins in Cloonlee, Knock.
Five of the Commins brothers, Tom, Bernie, Paddy, Mike and Billy, all moved to Dublin. They became well known in the life of parts of south Dublin where they undertook some major contracts for Dublin Council and built and developed the Victor Hotel on Rochestown Avenue near Dun Laoghaire. They were also contractors for the famous Top Hall Ballroom in Dun Laoghaire. John stayed at home on the family farm.
Kathleen married John Morley from Lisiniskea in the late 1940s and they raised a family of five. He died in August 1997. Their son Tommy resides in the home place while Kathleen, Peggy and Anne are all in Dublin and Mary lives in Carlow.
Kathleen was a country woman through and through and had a deep knowledge of the land and the farming way of life. Many were the days she helped out with the cows, calves, sheep, pigs and fowl while also taking great care of the family and home.
She was blessed with a clear mind and great memory right up to the last few months of her long life. Kathleen had an abiding interest in politics and was a loyal and staunch supporter of Fine Gael down through the decades. She received a personal letter from An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, on the occasion of her 100th birthday last April.
Kathleen was a devoutly Christian lady who recited the Rosary a few times each day. She had a rock-like faith that was at the very core of her long life. She always looked forward to the monthly visit from the priest in Bekan and cherished those days in a special way.
Her passing was truly the end of an era as she was the last surviving member of around 70 first cousins in her generation of the Commins family with roots in Cloonmore.
Neighbours and friends joined family members for a wake in the home of her son Tommy and his wife Angela and their family in Lissiniskea on Friday night. Reposing was at Donnellan’s Funeral Home, Ballyhaunis, on Saturday evening. The prayers were recited by her cousin, Fr Tommy Commins, before removal to Bekan Church. Interment took place in the local cemetery following Mass celebrated by Fr Brendan McGuinness, PP, assisted by Fr Eamonn Concannon.
Fr Brendan spoke of Kathleen’s special place in the life of Bekan parish, her deep faith and immense respect for the Eucharist.
He recalled how she was born in 1916, just two weeks before the Easter Rising in Dublin. Fr Brendan referred to the many major events she lived through over the decades, including the famous Big Snow of 1947.
Her former neighbour, Fr Eamonn Concannon, joined in the tributes to Kathleen and spoke of the great respect there was for her and her family over the years.
Kathleen is survived by her daughters Kathleen, Mary, Peggy and Anne, her son Tommy, in-laws, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.