Mayo woman sadly missed by all who knew her after passing

Kathleen McGuire, Moate, Ballyhaunis, Mayo, and Lohan Park, Brickens, who died recently, was formerly Walsh from Ballinross, Cloonfad.

Kathleen came from a lovely generation of people imbued with a warm sense of kindness and good nature passed down from the previous generation.

The flame of that spirit was nurtured by Kathleen and her late husband Austin and still burned brightly in the hearts of the next generation of the family circle.

Austin, who died in April 2022, was an accomplished farmer and was a good and able judge of livestock.

In his younger days, he did a fair amount of local agricultural contracting after investing in a tractor and machinery. He was much in demand for ploughing the fields and mowing the hay and various other enterprises.

Austin could turn his hands to many ventures and was also an accomplished carpenter.

Austin and Kathleen were a grand couple who enjoyed the goodwill of all in the local community here on the borders of Mayo, Roscommon and Galway.

Kathleen was also a fine singer and was known to render a few songs on special occasions and, as we say in these parts, it was no harm to let her at it!

Heartfelt tributes have been paid to Kathleen by so many people since her passing.

Julie McGuire said she had very happy memories of Kathleen and Austin from her childhood holidays in Moate.

“You gave me the best advice too when I was a young mother that I never forgot and which epitomised you for me: just love your children that’s all anyone needs.”

Eddie and Teresa Birmingham commented: “Kathleen had a heart of gold. She was so much like her mother, always with that warm and welcoming smile.

"Walsh’s was a house one always felt so welcome to go into no matter how many family visitors might be there. On visiting Kathleen and Austin in their own home, that same warm welcome was always there.”

Irene Guilfoyle said: “Kathleen was a beautiful lady and I have lovely memories of her from when I worked in Lohan Park. She had a great sense of humour.”

Reposing was at Donnellan’s Funeral Home, Ballyhaunis, and interment took place in Tulrahan cemetery following Mass in St Mary's Church, Logboy.

Kathleen, who was predeceased by her husband Austin, brothers Miko, Pat, John, Martin and Tom, and sisters Ellie and Mary, will be sadly missed by her sons Martin and Dermot, daughters Helen, Kathy and Corine, her sister Sr Corine (Texas), grandchildren, great-grandchild, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.