Kathleen Moran R.I.P

On Tuesday evening last a dark cloud of sadness enveloped Bunbrosna as news of the sudden passing of Kathleen began to filter through the area.

Kathleen was a kind and wonderful person who gave so much of her time and effort so selflessly to benefit other people. We were so privileged in Bunbrosna GAA to have Kathleen as a member of our club, as a club officer, as the driving force behind so many of the initiatives taken by the club and as the voice of wisdom and reason in all our deliberations.

Kathleen was involved in so many aspects of club life that we can only record here just some of the invaluable contribution she made down through the years.

Recalling his memories of Kathleen as Underage Secretary, a position she held for so many years, Joe Scally recalls Kathleen as being the first point of contact that so many children and their parents had with Bunbrosna GAA club, Kathleen welcomed each child with a kindness, enthusiasm and a smile that made everybody feel that they were an important person in the club and that they were going to have great fun and make many lifelong friends at Bunbrosna.

Each year Kathleen organised a blitz for each age group and ensured that everybody left with a trophy or a medal and of course a goodie bag of treats. These days were the highlight of the year, and many is the trophy from that era that remains proudly displayed on mantlepieces around Westmeath.

Kathleen was also involved in the committee which organised the Annual Sports which brought so much fun and enjoyment down the years. “The blue t-shirts “ for so long the must have items of Bunbrosna sportswear were the brainchild of Kathleen long before club gear was common practice and indeed, she seemed to have an everlasting supply of the same. These royal blue t-shirts bearing the GAA logo and the Bunbrosna name were worn with pride by so many of our youngsters over the years.

James Finnan, speaking of his time as Chairman, recalls how lucky and privileged he was to have Kathleen as Club Secretary.” Her trojan work, her dedication, her helpfulness and above all her good humour made his job very easy. Working with Kathleen led not only to a strong working bond but also to a lasting friendship.” James concluded.

Eddie Newman who worked with Kathleen on many committees recalls her professionalism, her understanding, and her dedication to the club. He recalled her encyclopaedic knowledge of club activities, her attention to even the smallest detail and her can do approach to problem solving saying that Kathleen was always there always willing to help and always knew exactly what to do.

Kathleen was hugely involved in our club Lotto and never missed an opportunity to promote it near and far. Martin Tormey remembers her as a real lady whose role on the important Fund-Raising Committee was pivotal to its success. He said Kathleen was one of a kind and we all mourn her passing greatly.

Club Chairman Peter Maguire said that Kathleen was a real lady whose work as Secretary at Underage and then at Adult club level kept the club running smoothly. Her attendance at and organisation of Fundraising was the stuff of legend.

Peter particularly mentions her work at Lotto and said that Kathleen and Jimmy were synonymous with our Lotto. Nothing was ever too much to ask of Kathleen and he concluded that everybody at Bunbrosna will miss Kathleen greatly.

Scór was very dear to Kathleen’s heart, she missed no opportunity to promote it in the club. She was especially heartened in recent years at the revitalisation of Scór na nÓg in our club. Speaking on behalf of Scór Eoin Clarke recalled Kathleen as an avid supporter of Scór who took great pride in seeing young and not quite as young take to the stage in the many Scór activities and competitions.”

Such was her dedication that she followed Bunbrosna Scór all over the country” Eoin concluded that she was a particularly proud mother and club woman as she witnessed her son Séamus and daughter in law Veronica win an All-Ireland Scór title for Bunbrosna.

One cannot speak of Kathleen and her involvement in our club without mentioning Jimmy. Jimmy and Kathleen were a team. Their lifelong commitment and work for our club leaves those of us who try to follow in their footsteps humbled. While our loss is deeply felt, it pales into insignificance when compared to the loss which Jimmy and all the Moran and Feerick families are feeling and all we can do now is offer them our support and sympathy.

To Jimmy, Pauline, Clare, Séamus, Conor, Gerard, to her grandchildren James, Oisín and Seaghan, to her brothers Martin, Richard and Andrew, her son in law Dennis, Daughters-in-law Veronica, Katherine and Siobhán her sisters in law, her nieces ,nephews and many, many friends we offer our deepest sympathy.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.