Cathy Anderson is an inspirational and a very busy lady

Try something new, no matter your age, it's actually good for your body and mental health. Wise words from an 80-plus artist, poet, kurler, walker, dancer and fit great-grandmother, Cathy Anderson.

The Stranorlar woman has just had two paintings accepted for the prestigious Glebe Gallery Easter Open Art Competition but that’s just the latest in a long line of personal achievements that she has achieved since retirement and rearing her family.

Born in Bailieborough in lovely County Cavan, Cathy spent over 40 years nursing.

“I trained in London and nursed there for many years. Whilst in London, I married Peter Anderson from Drumboe, Stranorlar, an accomplished boxer and hard-working Donegal Tunnel Tiger and brought up my five children in London. “We came back to Donegal in 1975. I commenced work in StJoseph’s Community Hospital the same year. I loved caring for people from every corner of Donegal and I remained there for 29 years and retired 20 years ago.”

You would think that after a busy career, Cathy would relax and put the feet up but no, this lady had other ideas.

“I play with the Stranorlar Kurling Club and take part in the league competitions. One really exciting time was when we were interviewed by Kathryn Thomas for the RTÉ Nationwide programme in the Cake Centre in Killygordon.”

Her passion as a people person led her to other adventures too. 

“I am a founder member of the Twin Towns Friday Club for retired people from all backgrounds and abilities who meet in the Stranorlar Parish Centre every Friday morning. We play games, go on trips, dance, exercise, and have a meal together. Generally, we have a good chat and great fun.”

But it didn’t stop at that either. Cathy set herself a challenge to explore the computer world and successfully completed the ECDL computer course.

She then turned her attention to the arts to see where this path would take her. She already loved poetry and creative writing so decided to take it a step further.

“I joined the Pen 2 Paper Writers Group based in Donegal Town. This is where we come together to write and read each other stories and poems. I enjoyed all the new ideas and we even published a book of poems the funds raised went to three charities.”

All this time Cathy was enjoying watching her two daughters, Bernie and Veronica grow and become well-established artists so she decided why not give that a go too!

She took to it with ease and as time went on, she began to carve out a niche in the art world too.

“I attended an Intergenerational Art course at Finn Valley College. After a three-day course in Cornwall, I found art so relaxing and discovered that I was quite creative at it. I am still attending classes.”

Never one to ease away from a challenge, Cathy decided to set herself a challenge and see if she could get any of her work accepted for the prestigious Glebe Gallery Easter Open Art Competition, a much sought-after accolade in the art world here in Donegal. The result painted a beautiful picture.

“I decided to put in some paintings into the renowned Glebe Gallery Easter Open Art Competition at which my daughters had previously had paintings accepted. To my great surprise I got not one painting into it but two, Roses and the other one named Berries. And I even got the two sold! So I am a published and commissioned painter now. I might even follow my daughters’ footsteps and hold an exhibition!”

Who knows what this talented lady will try next but one thing's for sure, if she thinks it's good for her, she will do it.

“Overall I have a positive outlook on life. I keep myself happy and healthy, having already worn out two hips which I got replaced in recent years. I eat well, love gardening, exercise and walk regularly and have also been doing water aerobics over the past two years.

“Now to organise my first art and poetry exhibition!

“By the way, we have a family joke. My children tell me I am so busy with my time that they need to book an appointment to see me as I’m  never at home.”

That I can believe Cathy - a truly inspirational lady who is a shining example to us all.