Catherine Quinlan was proud of her Carlow roots 

CATHERINE Ann Quinlan, who passed away unexpectedly but peacefully in her sleep on Thursday 12 March at her residence in Charleston, South Carolina, USA was a native of Carlow town.

Aged 62, the former Catherine Doyle was daughter of the late Patrick (Paddy) and Grace (née Smith) Doyle, 30 St Killian’s Crescent, Carlow. She was one of a family of nine children – six girls and three boys ‒ and is survived by seven siblings.

Having been educated by the Presentation Sisters in Carlow, Catherine went on to work locally, learning the bakery trade at Dunny’s Bakery, Castle Street. From that time onwards, Catherine was noted for her baking skills – she also had artistic talents.

Catherine subsequently worked as a barmaid in Archie’s Bar, Tullow Street, Carlow and in the same capacity in the Seven Oaks hotel, where she spent a long number of years before emigrating to America.

She was intensely proud of her Carlow roots and returned regularly to her native town on holidays, where she would renew acquaintance with family, neighbours and friends.

Catherine emigrated to New York in 1989 with her husband Oliver and son Stephen, following her older sister Olwyn Doyle to the ‘Big Apple.’ Olwyn was a psychiatric nurse in St Dympna’s hospital, Carlow before leaving for the US, where she continued her nursing career.

Catherine loved celebrating St Patrick’s day and was greatly looking forward to the parade in Charleston. Her sister Christine Keating, St Killian’s Crescent, had sent her a green t-shirt and hat for the 17 March celebrations. Instead, sadly, Catherine’s funeral took place on St Patrick’s day.

In a tribute to his mother during her funeral Mass in Charleston, Stephen Quinlan said Catherine spent many successful years as a chef and banquet manger in several five-star New York hotels.

He continued: “She had a gift for fashion and travel and she was happiest on a sunny beach,” adding that she adored her little black Schnauzer dog Maxwell “to the moon and back.” Continuing his tribute, Stephen said Catherine, through hard work and determination, helped build a life in America, one that allowed him to graduate college, pursue a career in hospitality and purchase their first home.

He described Catherine as “a strong Irish woman, effortlessly talented in all ways you cannot teach.

“Her dreams were always to retire in Charleston near the beach and the sun. Over the past two years, she was blessed with the chance to spend meaningful time here, thanks to the support of close friends, visiting islands, making new friends and creating memories that will be cherished forever.” Stephen suggested that laying his mother to rest on St Patrick’s day was Catherine’s “way of looking down on us and giving one last cheeky wink.” He liked to think that Catherine is now walking along the beach with their beautiful Labrador Caesar, who died in June of last year, "soaking up every bit of sun as it sets over Kiawah Island."

Catherine is survived by her son Stephen (Albany, New York), brothers Paul (Kilmuckridge, Co Wexford) and David (Claregalway, Co Galway), sisters Olwyn Reidy (Florida, USA), Christine Keating (St Killian’s Crescent, Carlow), Anna Egerton (Croydon, Surrey, UK) and Gráinne Haughney (Graiguecullen, Carlow).

She was predeceased by her brother Patrick Doyle (Castle Hill, Carlow) and sister Patricia McGettigan (Galway city).

Members of Catherine’s family in Ireland viewed her funeral Mass in Charleston on webcam.

A celebration of Catherine Quinlan’s life will take place in Carlow in the coming months.