Sad passing of renowned school teacher in Tipperary

Known to most people locally as Kathleen, Catherine Purcell, nee Kealy was a lady who touched the lives of so many families in the Cathedral Town through her forty plus years of teaching in the Presentation Primary School.

A past pupil of the Pres’, Kathleen arrived back in the school following a brief time in Moyne National School after she had graduated from Mary Immaculate College in Limerick as a primary teacher, and there she would remain alongside her sister, Mrs Mary Dunne, teaching, caring, looking out for, and respecting each and every pupil who passed through her hands.

She was regarded as a fair, strict and thoughtful teacher who gave it everything in the classroom and always demanded high standards of her pupils.

Past pupils would speak of her love of Irish, of music and song – how she loved the annual Christmas concert which allowed her class the chance to shine on stage – her passing on of the wonderful surprises of nature, her love of flowers and of course, her faith.

Kathleen was a lady of deep faith and was somebody who was never afraid to show her devotion to God.

Yes Kathleen was a lady of strong faith, but also fashion. She was devoted to her God and raised her family in a similar manner.

And, she loved fashion. She would regularly head off on shopping trips and liked nothing more than sharing the experience with family members and friends.

She was a glamourous lady who took great care with her appearance – on the morning before she passed away so suddenly, she had brushed her hair to ensure that it was as perfect as always.

The Kealy’s are a highly respected and regarded family in Thurles  and when Kathleen met and married Ballingarry native Michael Purcell and they made their home in Clongour, they would go on to have a family of ten children – a family which was later enhanced by the arrival of twenty four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Kathleen and Michael were married for sixty four years and they instilled in their own family, the kind of values which they had been introduced to and embraced in their younger days.

Kathleen was very artistic and loved the music of Daniel O’Donnell. She played piano to a very high standard and was always available in the school with music preparation for the celebration of special events.

She also loved her coffee and in later years hot latte’s, often enjoyed in the surrounds of the Anner Hotel – a place she was very familiar with.

Kathleen’s passing is a major blow to Michael whom she married in the Cathedral of the Assumption on Easter Monday 1959. On November 16th, 2023 – a lifetime of memories made – Kathleen was before the Altar again accompanied by Michael, but this time to celebrate her life and her passing to the Heaven she believed in.

They had enjoyed a remarkable union blessed by God and though deeply saddened by Kathleen’s passing, Michael and her family are sustained greatly by the support and love which have been showered on them since news of her demise became known.

Hundreds came to pay their final respects at Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home and to the Cathedral of the Assumption before Kathleen was laid to rest in St Patrick’s Cemetery.

She is survived by her husband Michael, her brother Donal Kealy and predeceased by her sister Mary Dunne and brother Fr. Seán Kealy C.S.Sp.

Kathleen is also sadly missed by her adoring family P.J., Antoinette, Adrian, Cáit, Dara, Rosemarie, Fiacre, Rory, Audrey, Aisling as well as her sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, nieces, nephews, grand-children, great-grandchildren, sisters-in-law, former Presentation Convent colleagues and her large circle of friends.

Christmas will be very different in the Purcell household this year without its matriarch and in Clongour without one of its most popular residents.

But, despite the sadness, there is also a great sense of thanksgiving for a long live well lived, much good done, and great memories shared with a proud daughter of Thurles.

May she rest in peace.