The Late Kathleen Griffin Kathleen Griffin (nee Stack), Rae Street, Tralee and formerly of Strand Street and Kilmoyley, whose death occurred recently had with her late husband Mick and children been part and parcel of the area in which she had come to live. The Griffin family association with the Blues end of town went back to the 1960s when they made their home in Strand Street. Aged 81. Kathleen was born in 1927 in Kilmoyley, daughter of Edmound and Catherine Stack (nee Mulvihill). One of five children, she as predeceased by her sister Nell and brothers John Joe and Pat and survived by her brother Eamon in Sligo. With her siblings she attended the local national school in Kilmoyley, following which she received her secondary education from the Sisters of Mercy in Balloonagh. Kathleen took up employment on finishing school at JP O'Connor's shop in Bridge Street. She worked there for a period of time but like many people of her generation took the emigrant ship to England. Mick Griffin from Banna hand also headed for the bright lights of London and as they were going out together, Kathleen followed her heart and decided that was where she also wanted to be. They were married in Woodgrain Church, Chiswick, London in 1951 and their eldest son Frank was born there. Home was always in Kerry and the call to return there was such that they came back to Kathleen's native place where she took over the running of the local shop in Kilmoyley from her parents. When the shop closed the family came to live in Strand Street, Tralee in the early 1960s. Kathleen settled well in her new surroundings and such was her personality that she made friends immediately with the residents of the area. Indeed it could be said that she became a true 'Blue' and was one of the oldest residents living in Strand Street. While Mick was working as a lorry driver for Latchford's Mills and later Denny's bacon factory, Kathleen was busying herself in the rearing of her children. Kathleen's house had an open door policy and kids from the area, Gas Terrace and Lower Rock Street who had become friends with her children thought nothing of walking into her kitchen unannounced, not that she minded in the least. Recreation for Kathleen was a night's dancing with Mick and other friends. Long before the term 'designated driver' was coined, Kathleen was such as she was a tee-totaller all her life. Driving in her red Ford Fiesta and Opel Corsa she journeyed to many areas of the county and always brought her passengers home safe and sound. She suffered a brian haemorrhage in 1978 and it took almost two years before her health was back to as near normal as possible. During this time her positive outlook and strong faith helped her cope along with the support of her family and friends. To celebrate her recovery she and Mick went with the Kerry GAA team on a trip to New York in 1981. Sadly Mick died suddenly and unexpectedly while attending a function there with Kathleen was left a widow with a young family to rear. This she did admirably and she was very proud of their individuals talents and achievements. The birth of her grandchildren gave her a new focus and she also found time to set up a Widows Association in Tralee. Organising a school reunion for classmates from Kilmoyley saw her track down many who left the parish. Kathleen liked to celebrate all occasions as she believed life was to be lived. Her 80th birthday saw a gathering at Ballygarry Hotel, a night which filled her with great happiness and joy to have so many people with her whom she loved so much. She had been a patient at the Loher Ward of Kerry General Hospital for a period of time. Her family wish to acknowledge the love, care and support which Kathleen received from all at the hospital. A woman of great faith and religion she attended mass on daily basis in Holy Cross Dominican Church and in later years with the Sisters of the Bons Secours in the chapel. The Holy Rosary was recited nightly in her house and she was known to recite a decade when Kerry were playing. Each New Year's Day mass was celebrated in her house in thanksgiving for all that God had given her and her family. Kathleen, wife, mother and grandmother, lived every moment for her family. Sweet toothed with a great sense of humour she told it like it was and was loved and respected by all. Strand Street bade farewell to Kathleen, but she leaves a myraid of wonderful memories. The removal of her remains took place from Gleasureis Funeral Home to the Church of Our Lady and St Brendan on Friday April 24th. Following Requiem Mass on Saturday Interment took place in Rath Cemetery. She is sadly missed by her children, Frank, Angela, Mervyn, Monica, Vera, Ann, brother Eamon, grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, relatives and many friends. Courtesy of The Kerryman 6th May 2009 Tweet

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