Mrs. Kathleen Teresa McCaffrey of Farnascullogh, Lisnaskea passed away at her loving home on October 21, 2019 after a short illness. She was 78. Kathleen was born on January 1, 1941 in Fallagherin Co. Tyrone and was the youngest of four children to the family of John James and Mary Agnes Donnelly. After her education she then went to work in Belfast. It was there Kathleen met her husband to be William McCaffrey in 1958. The pair were married in July 1961 and then moved to Willie’s home town of Lisnaskea, where they made their family home and raised 11 children. She was a devoted wife to Willie for 54 years, caring for him during his illness right to the end. She was an extraordinary mother, grandmother and great-grandmother with 31 grand-children and 20 great-grandchildren.

Kathleen was a hard worker throughout her life. She was a very talented designer and dressmaker, had an astounding reputation worldwide for her skills, particularly in the Irish dancing community. She made all her children’s wedding dresses including some of her grandchildren’s too, as well as communion dresses, christening gowns and Irish dance costumes. Kathleen also furnished many of her children’s homes with beautiful handmade curtains. She had a lot of time for everyone within the community, she helped set up the Lisnaskea Youth marching band called St. Cecelia’s and made the band’s uniforms. Kathleen made brownies uniforms and neckerchiefs for the scout community. She was highly regarded within the community and judged many of local bonny baby competitions. She helped to look after Chernobyl children during the summer months.

Kathleen was a devout pioneer, she achieved a gold badge. She was a member of the pioneer committee, involved in helping organise some of the pioneer dinner dances, dances and discos for the youth of the parish. She was a loyal Christian, ordained an Eucharistic minister and attended Mass weekly. She had a great faith and was very fond of Padre Pio. She enjoyed her trips to Knock, Lourdes, Rome and San Giovanni.

A real role model for any young woman/mother. Kathleen was a passionate lady who took pride in her appearance and her home. She had a love for gardening, fashion, listening to country music, and going to bingo. In her spare time, she loved to bake homemade breads and tarts, making use of the apple and rhubarb Willie grew in their back garden. Kathleen was a great neighbour, her door was always open and the kettle was on the boil. She was a real lady, anyone who knew Kathleen would remark upon her kind nature and warm heart. She was the light to go to in any dark situation and she always had the switch to brighten it up and see you through it.

Her health started to fail in recent years from different ailments; breast cancer, diabetes, pacemaker, to then incur multiple strokes as a side effect to the cancer in her womb. Her courageous battle with cancer, was conducted with dignity and grace. Kathleen’s family were tremendously devoted to her care throughout her illness, never leaving her side day or night, even when she was admitted to the Stroke unit, SWAH where she was very welcomed by the staff, they adored her. She was so gracious and had a reverent nature. Kathleen will be sorely missed within the community especially by her wide family circle.