‘A working life dedicated to Belleek Pottery’, the late Kathleen McGurn, Ballyshannon 

The funeral took place recently of Kathleen McGurn (née Keenan) Cherrymount, Ballyshannon, before a packed congregation in St Patrick Church, Ballyshannon.

Chief celebrant, Fr Cathal O’Fearraí P.P. said that it had not been that long ago when the deceased was in, booking Masses herself and her passing had been a shock to communities in both Donegal and Fermanagh.

At the outset of the Mass, symbols of Kathleen’s life were brought to the altar including her prayer book, a vase in remembrance of her years of work in Belleek Pottery and flowers which represented her great love of nature and her garden. 

Deceased was born Kathleen Keenan, just outside Belleek and having gone to the local national school, she and her sister cycled daily to Ballyshannon to attend the local Vocational School located beside St Patrick’s. 

She met her husband, PJ McGurn from Derrygonnelly, at a dance in Garrison and they later married in Toura in 1973. 

They spent the early years of their marriage living in Corry, Belleek, before moving to Cherrymount in Ballyshannon, where they built a new house and home for themselves.

Kathleen was involved with Belleek Pottery, all her working life.

She was a painter at the world renowned pottery, where she did a lot of the painting and the shamrock was her speciality.

Indeed such was her mastery of her craft, anything that she painted had a special stamp on it, identifying it as Kathleen’s work. 

She worked at the pottery until her late husband P.J. fell ill, before he died 14 years ago. 

Kathleen, because of her painting expertise in the Pottery, often went on promotional tours for Belleek Pottery at home and abroad and especially in America.

She also had the privilege of walking in the St Patrick's Day parade down 5th Avenue, New York in 1975.   

Fr O'Fearraí recalled: “Kathleen was indeed a lovely lady. Indeed, dressed like a lady too. Always made up, looking her best. She was a very pleasant, outgoing personality. That smile, ready for a chat, but always on the go. She didn’t sit around, letting life pass her by and she embraced life fully, reaching out to many many people.

“She spent a lot of time in her garden which she loved so much and spent much of her time with family and friends.” 

He said that Kathleen was a very giving person and very generous to others, reaching out to people on both sides of the border and kept in touch with them on a regular basis.

He added that her own family and in particular her grandchildren were “the centre of her life”.

“She adored them, indeed she spoiled them too and they will miss her very much,” he said.

But while she enjoyed shopping in Sligo, Donegal Town or Enniskillen and socialising, underlying her whole life was her faith, which had helped her at different times in her life and her dedication to St Anthony was an important part of that faith.

Kathleen was the beloved wife of the late PJ, much loved mother of Paraic, (Anne), Cherished nana of Neasa, Patrick and Clodagh, sister of PJ (Irene), Eileen (Benny Keown), Gerard (Patricia), Christine (Marius Jones) and predeceased by her parents, sisters Goretti, Mary and husband Jim, to whom deepest sympathy is extended.

Her passing is deeply regretted and sadly missed by her son, daughter in law, grandchildren, sisters, brothers, brothers in law, sisters in law, nieces, nephews, friends and entire family circle.

After Funeral Mass last Thursday, interment took place at St Joseph's, The Rock Cemetery, Ballyshannon.

May she rest in peace.