Katie Gilmore
Caher, Shrule
KATIE Gilmore, Caher, Shrule, who died recently, was a cherished member of the local community. Formerly Morrin from Kildun, The Neale, she was the youngest of a family of eight children, six girls and two boys.
In June, 1943, Katie married John Gilmore from Caher and they raised a family of six. Today, their daughters Ellen, Nano and Kathleen all reside in America, Bernie Connolly is in Garrymore and Judy Kelly in Kilconly while their son John is in the home village.
Katie came from a generation who had a strong work ethic and this manifested itself both in the home and on the land. She could turn her hand to many tasks including knitting Aran sweaters and sewing on her Singer sewing machine which is still in good working order to this day.
A great woman for the cooking, she baked brown bread every day, known in the family circle as ‘caisken’. When it came to making apple tarts, especially at this time of the year when apples are plentiful, she was in a league of her own.
A lady with an eye for style, she loved clothes and could be seen in her Sunday best at Mass week after week with everything matching and the hat to crown it all.
A woman of strong faith, her prayer book and rosary beads were never far from her hands and she spent hours in prayer each day. She had a wonderful devotion to her faith which she inherited from her own parents and the culture of her young years.
Katie had a gentle personality and a compassionate nature. She loved her home and all callers were assured of the height of welcome when they put a foot inside the door. In later years, she availed of the free bus trips to make many shopping trips to Galway, always valuing her independence.
To her grandchildren, she was known as ‘Granny Kilmaine’, and she had a great rapport with all of them. She was never slow to open her purse, much to the delight of all of the children during their growing up years.
Her husband John died back in February 1981, and his passing was a great loss to her and the family. But true to her character, she faced life anew and, together with help from her devoted family, she continued life to the best of her ability, always seeing the positive side of things and encouraging others to do likewise.
Her son John and wife Doreen and family cared for Katie with great love and attention in her own home during her final years. On August 26, she died peacefully at her residence, surrounded by her loving family.
Katie was truly one of the ‘old stock’ of the village, a lady with a great understanding of the common people, and a real neighbour in the best sense of the word. She will be fondly remembered by her family and close friends.
Removal took place from Craddock’s Funeral Home in Shrule to Shrule Church, with burial in Kilmaine cemetery following Requiem Mass celebrated by Fr John Fallon.
She is sadly missed by her son, John, and his wife, Doreen; daughters, Ellen, Kathleen, Nano, Bernie and Judy; in-laws; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; relatives, neighbours and friends.