Kathleen was born in Jenkinstown, Dunboyne, in West Meath on 4th November 1926. She was the fourth daughter to Patrick and Mariah Murray, with Mary (to be called Molly), Elizabeth (to be called Lil), and Bridie born before her. After Kathleen came Jimmy, Anne, Paddy and Agnes. So, she was the middle child of 7.
She was educated at the local school, where, and in all weathers, she walked the three miles there and back each day, with her brothers and sisters. Her childhood in Ireland on the family farm was something she talked of often, she loved being there, with the cattle, chickens, a few goats; tending the fields and minding home.
In later years she would talk for hours telling tales of when she was young, going to Irish dances, riding her bicycle for miles to get there; her wonderful ability to tell a story meant you felt like you were riding the bicycle with her, having the time of our lives! She looked for excitement, and experience beyond home.
In 1953 Kathleen joined her sisters Molly, Lil and Bridie, sharing a flat in Shepherds Bush, London. It was a time of freedom, fashion and dancing, staying up late, having the craic, enjoying London and life itself.
By day she joined the many Irish men and women, working for London Transport as a bus conductress. She eventually swapped roles and trained to be a prestigious Nippy waitress for Lyons Tea Houses in Central London in the 1950s, and in the years that followed she became a banqueting waitress, like her sisters, for the largest hotels in London and infamously at Madame Tussaud’s. Her happiest working memories are though at Gordon’s Gin where she worked for 6 years.
Wherever she worked she was popular as she always had a warm smile, and a twinkle in her eye. Having fun was fundament to who she was and what she did.
Kathleen never married despite numerous suitors and requests her beauty and generous nature made her popular. She filled her life outside of work with her large extended family and became an integral part of all her nieces’ and nephews’ lives sharing all their celebrations and life events.
Her passion throughout her life was Sport! Watching snooker, tennis, football in Britain and Ireland. Arsenal football team was her passion she followed their ups and downs over many decades.
Before retiring from her work, she enjoyed a period of travelling mostly with her sister Molly. There are so many hilarious tales of them getting lost in exotic places and thoroughly enjoying themselves.
She had a deep faith in the Catholic Church, and in particular to the community that went with it. She took part in many pilgrimages travelling to Rome, Lourdes and Fatima. We are sure that in her final hours in Charing Cross hospital her faith must have sustained her.
Kathleen will be buried in the graveyard of her home parish Kilcloon in Meath alongside her family. She will always be remembered for her kindness, fun and love of life.
We invite you to join us to celebrate the life of Kathleen Murray
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Additional Info:
Due to CV19 Regulations attendance at the Funeral is restricted and all places have been allocated. Please do not come to the service without prior notification of the family. The Requiem Mass for Kathleen will be streamed from this site - An invitation link will appear on the site 24 hours ahead of appointed time. If anyone would like to donate to a charity in lieu of flowers Kathleen's two favourite charities were UNICEF and Great Ormond Street Childrens' Hospital. https://www.unicef.org.uk/donate/ https://www.gosh.org/donate
All my memories, without exception, were fun.
Very fond memories of aunty Kathleen from growing up here in Ireland and also many fun times that were had on our visits to London. May she Rest In Peace.
Gerry, Bernie and family
I have many fond memories of Auntie Kathleen when she came home to Jenkinstown. She was a great character but also very straightforward with a wicked sense of humour. I will miss her.
“Light a candle
See it flow
Watch it dance
When you feel low,
Think of her
Think of light
She will always be here
Day or night
A candle flickers
Out of sight
But in your heart
She still burns bright.
Think not of sadness
That she’s not near
Think of gladness
And joyous cheer,
She has not left
She is not gone.
So when you light a candle
And you see it flow
And you watch it dance
In your heart you will know
That she never left you
Even when you feel blue
She is sitting up with the Lord
And watching over you”
Spread your light from heaven Kathleen. You will always be loved and always missed.
Are Chris Dé go raibh a anam.
Auntie Kathleen- Fond memories of visits with Helen on a Saturday to Mortimer House and sometimes staying and years later Kath reminding me of when I used to ask her to wash my hair! Many long sunny Sunday afternoons at Barnes Common. I cannot ever remember silence and always a smile, with Kath around! Thank you , RIP Aunty Kath, x
I always loved going to visit Aunty Kathleen, with a slice of Victoria sponge and a cup of tea. Aunty Kathleen had the kindest smile, the warmest of hearts and loved a good chat. I was always amazed by her beautiful white hair, as my sister and I would often refer to her as being a lookalike of the Queen. She was our Queen and will forever have a very special place in all of our hearts. I will never forget what an inspirational woman she was. I hope she has reunited with all of her brothers and sisters and is having the best time up there. May she rest in peace xxxxx
We never knew her as Kathleen Murray because she was everyone’s Auntie Kathleen. We have very fond memories of our huge sports conversation when we visited Yeldham Rd. 23 years ago when myself and my then 18 year old son, a sports fan out and out, spent a weekend with Martin & Molly in Hammersmith. Auntie Kathleen dropped in to greet us. She spent a few hours talking sport with us which we greatly enjoyed. After she left my son asked me “what sports channel does she work for” She was one of a wonderful generation that left their place of birth and moved to an environment which was totally alien to them. Still they had the ability to adapt to their new surroundings and make a better life for themselves and for those that came after them. Their likes we will not see again. May her gentle soul rest in peace.
RIP Aunty k
For me, memories of Auntie K are dominated by the stories she loved to tell including such unbelievable detail, and her love of great quality food. Every Christmas she would visit our house, with a wee present for all of us and an enormous home made Christmas cake in a square biscuit tin! Followed by a step by step account of the prep and cooking process that began in the September! She also remembered so many birthdays, which is extraordinary in a family the size of ours. I could say so much more about her love of life, her endless whit and her Huge knowledge of sports particularly football, but I will end it here by saying simply RIP Aunty K , I so hope you are at last having that high tea on a low table with your beloved sisters and brothers xxxxx
Jaysus, I was trying to get a room for Kathleen and Jackie in Rome so they could get back to London during the ash cloud from Iceland. Nothing was working. Then Jackie said to Kathleen “I think they think you have autism”. Kathleen went for it and they got home. Kathleen will never be gone when we have Jackie to recount her stories with her proper accent. An amazing woman. A massive loss, but a bit of Kathleen will keep going in everyone who was lucky enough to know that beauty! Xxx
As a longstanding family friend, I have so many lovely & fond memories of dear Auntie Kathleen’ going back over many years. She was everyone’s auntie! Kathleen was always so bright & bubbly & never failed to make me laugh with her very funny sayings & observations! Her extensive family were always extremely important & precious to her & were at the forefront of her mind. She often delighted in telling me all the news regarding her nieces and nephews, particularly if there had been a special occasion that she had recently attended! She took an accute interest in each & everyone of them (closely followed by her beloved Arsnel & sport generally) & her face would light up in joy as she regaled the stories of them.
It’s wonderful that she lived such a long, happy & independent life.
I will always remember her fondly.
I’m sure she is now delighting in being reunited with all her dear siblings & family who have gone before her. She certainly will have lots of news to fill them in on and lovely tales to tell of all their loved ones.
May she rest in peace. Mary & all the family. X
Have great memories of trips to London with my mam to visit Aunty Kathleen. We were greeted at Adie Road by her neighbour who would say “the queen is in”. Aunty Kathleen was always very gentle and happy and was always delighted to see a friendly face over from Ireland. I have fond memories of Kathleen’s trips back to Ireland, she was always full of energy and enjoyed the “ceol agus craic”. She will be sadly missed.
“Ar dheis De go raibh a hanam”.
Great memories of kathleen. She was ever so kind quiet humourous passionate about football and of course arsenal fc. She lived to be a fantastic age god bless her. I used to laugh here at home when she d ring my late mam agnes rip my mam would pass phone over to me and she d say”” andy pandy hope u have ur slippers neately under the bed”” she was so humerous when i was kid slagging and having a laugh. I hope kathleen is gone to a better place along with agnes and others having the same humerous craic and laughter.. RIP Aunt Kathleen
Thankyou auntie kathleen for always lending a,hand when were were all children. Thankyou auntie kathleen fir taking my own children out for the day. I will always be grateful . R.I.p
As a child growing up, I always looked forward to spending time with Auntie Kathleen and not just because of the tasty treats she would bring my brothers and I! I loved listening to her stories about growing up in Ireland and the antics all the siblings would get up to. Time was never dull when Auntie Kath was around. She was kind and generous and to this day never missed sending me a card for my birthday. I will miss the times we spent together but will cherish the memories we shared. RIP Auntie Kath, forever in my heart. X