Welcome to My Memory Box

Birthday: 

• 14th September (Virgo)

Favourites:

• Music:  Christy Hennessey , Vienna Waltz – Strauss, Cuckoo Waltz, Tina Turner
• Holiday: Cambriles, Salou
• Golfer: Tiger Woods
• Plants: Yellow Roses, Ash Tree

Moments of Pride:

• Signing at Christmas Midnight Mass in St. Olivers Church Navan
• Bringing up her family
• Meeting President Mary McAleese

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Life and Times

 The Early Years

      Catherine Heary also known as Kathleen or Kay, was born in Rose Cottage, Whistlemount, Kells Rd,   Navan to Annie and James Kelly. Her Father passed away six weeks after she was born.  She attended  Mercy Convent, Navan each day then enjoyed the freedom of the fields (especially climbing trees) near home.  Her connection to nature, trees especially, was something that only grew stronger as time went by.  Later in life some of her friends lovingly referred to her home as the plant hospital.

Working Life

When she finished school, Kay worked in Navan Carpets on the looms.  She went on to spend some time in London training as a nurse but unfortunately had to return home before she had the opportunity to complete her training.  She returned home to work in Clayton’s factory in Navan as a twister, a job which she enjoyed and thrived in.  Kay had different jobs later on, but her final job was the one she excelled in.

Having learned sign language through the Meath Deaf Association she was asked to teach transition year students in MercyConvent, Navan.  Word soon spread and she taught in many secondary schools in Meath over the coming years.

She combined her love of music and sign to teach in her own unique style  forming ‘choirs’ wherever she taught to increase fluency and bring an element of fun endearing her to her students.  She went on to teach adults in Meath VEC and VTOS.  In VTOS her easy ways allowed her to not only teach everyone sign, but to become a trusted alloy to students and teachers alike.

Love 

When Kay was only 14 she met the love of her life Richard (Dick) Heary at a dancehall in Beechmount. They married 8 years later, in March 1967. They had 5 children, however only 2 survived.  Her son and daughter were her pride and joy and anyone who knew her (and indeed sometimes those who didn’t!) listened to her gush as she spoke about Alan and Jacqui as if they were celebrities.  They all moved to Silverlawns in1992.  She and Dick shared the adventure of life together until he died in her arms at home in 2001.

Special Interests

Kay had varied interests over the years not least of which were flower arranging, knitting, all kinds of music and playing computer games.  She shared her love of dancing with Dick winning trophies along the way.

Her greatest passion was for pitch and putt.  Playing for Navan Pitch and Putt Club she won titles at county and regional level in singles, doubles and on teams as well as numerous opens throughout Ireland.  She was a cornerstone of the Meath Team for 18 years.  The annual charity competition she set up in Dick’s name continues to bring much needed funds to those in need.  Her sense of fair-play, supportive attitude to fellow players, and coaching of new players was an inspiration and something for which she was well respected.

Lady Captain Navan P&P

Life

Kay was a loving wife and mother. A trusted and genuine friend.  A fun-loving person who had a way of making those around her feel important.  Kay shared herself with others unconditionally and in so doing impacted positively on the lives of all she came into contact with.  She will be sadly missed.

After battling illnesses for the last 2 years, Kay had her final heart attack on

5^th December 2011

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Please feel free to leave a comment or story about how you remember Kay in the comment box below