A final farewell to Kitty who passes away in her 101st year

Nenagh bade farewell to one of its oldest citizens last week as Kitty Shoer passed away in her 101st year.

Despite being a smoker for nine decades, Kitty, from Saint Joseph’s Park, lived a long and happy life and got to enjoy the excitement and privilege last August of celebrating her 100th birthday with five generations of family and friends in the Thatch Cottage in Ballycommon.

In an interview last year, Kitty, the mother of seven children, told this newspaper  that she started smoking when she was just 10 years of age. Yet, despite the well-known health hazards, she defied statistics and lived way longer than most people.

She once tried to kick the habit, but admitted she was in such foul humour after coming off the fags that her late husband, Michael, actually put a cigarette back in her mouth to restore her peace of mind!

Kitty (née Egan), who grew up near Ballina, was born on August 15 1924. She enjoyed good health all her life and one of her only afflictions on reaching 100 was fading sight.

She spent much of her childhood living in the family home in Curraghmore in Boher, the same townland where Matt McGrath - the Olympic champion in the hammer in 1912 and silver medallist in 1908 and 1924 - was born and grew up.

Kitty could recall the old tradition of platform dancing and used to attend such social evenings at the Five Alley in Burgess.

A MATCH

She met her husband Michael while working in Powell's Bar Nenagh. Six of her seven children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren joined her last August for her centenary birthday party in Ballycommon.

One of her children, Billy, a former Mayor of Clonmel and a member of Clonmel Borough Council, died in June 2023.

Kitty died peacefully on Friday last, March 21, surrounded by her family, at University Hospital Limerick. She was predeceased by her husband Michael, son Billy, grandsons Michael and John and her sons-in-law Ger and Joe.

She will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by her loving family, Nora, Theresa, Michael, John, Peggy and Mary, her sister Bridget, daughters-in-law Mary, Marian and Debbie, sons-in-law Steven and John, her adored grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives, great neighbours and many friends.

Her Funeral Mass took place on Wednesday last in Saint Mary of the Rosary Church, Nenagh, followed by burial Lisboney Cemetery.

May her gentle soul Rest in peace.