The death has occurred of Kay O’Brien, nee Walmsley, No.1 St. John’s Park Castleisland Co. Kerry and formerly of Barrack Street Castleisland.
Peacefully at home on March 9th. 2025 in the presence and care of her loving family.
Predeceased by her husband Billy. Sadly missed by her heartbroken family: Eileen, Mary, Catheriona and Noreen, sons-in-law: Peter, James and Laurence: her adored grandchildren: Evan, Kate, Padraig, Jessica, Rebecca, Aisling and Laura, brothers Freddie and Seán, sisters: Pat, Noreen, Eleanor and Veronica, her aunt Norrie Lenihan; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends. May Her Gentle Soul Rest In Peace.
Kay’s Altar at The Pres
An impromptu altar in the foyer, a framed photograph of the late Kay O’Brien and two of her daughters, two candles standing guard along with a similar computer screen image on an opposite wall – both signify how valued Kay was as part of the school maintenance team at Presentation Castleisland.
Principal Pierce Dargan did a running commentary on the sad need for the altar on Tuesday evening for the various groups arriving and leaving rehearsals for this year’s A Night at the Film Awards fundraiser.
It also signifies how interwoven our lives actually are and how we come to know people from so many different perspectives in the close community we live in.
Kay’s husband Billy died just before Christmas 2023. A native of Killarney, Billy endeared himself to the community and to his neighbourhood for his green-fingered enhancement of ‘The Ditch’ which leads into and out of St. John’s Park.
Himself and the late Jackie McGaley conducted completely independent flowering projects on that ditch. “They never left the ditch” was one man’s brief but to the point epitaph of approval after both men passed away within a short time of each other; Jackie on October 9th 2022 and Billy on December 23rd 2023.
Kay has clearly earned and secured her own epitaph in the annals of Presentation Castleisland and elsewhere. May God be good to her.
Kay’s Funeral Arrangements
Reposing at Tangney’s Funeral Home Church Street Castleisland on Wednesday evening from 5pm to 7pm.
Removal from her residence on Thursday morning at 10.30am arriving to Castleisland Parish Church for Requiem Mass at 11am followed by Cremation at the Shannon Crematorium at 2pm. Kay’s Mass will be live-streamed on www.churchservices.tv/castleisland
No flowers please. Donations in lieu to Palliative Care c/o Tangney’s Funeral Home.
Date Published: Monday, March 10th 2025. Date of Death: Sunday, March 9th. 2025.
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