Munster Express Online

It is with deep regret that we record the unexpected and sudden death of Mrs Kay Drohan (nee Doyle), Abbey Park, Ferrybank. Aged 62 years, Kay passed away peacefully at Waterford Regional Hospital following a short illness.

A member of a most respected and much liked family, her untimely death caused widespread sorrow in Waterford city and county and in County Tipperary where she was also well known.

Kay’s remains were removed from Power’s Funeral Home on Monday, February 15th, to the Church of the Sacred Heart, Ferrybank, where they were received by Fr James Crotty, PP, and Fr Ray Dempsey, CC. Requiem Mass was concelebrated the next day by Fr Crotty, Canon Brian Flynn, PP Kilmacow, and Father Joe Flynn, PP Ballyporeen.

She is survived and will be forever remembered by her beloved husband of 43 years, Frank; her treasured children; Tom, Kings Channel Waterford; Brian, Annestown, County Waterford, and Katherine Drohan, Emmet Road, Dublin; her sisters, Betty Walsh and Patricia Gleeson, both of Ferrybank; her brothers Joe and Richard, both of Waterford city; her grandchildren, Hannah, Emma, Rachel, Louise and Daisy, and countless other friends and family who were blessed to have known her.

Kay was one of five children, born to the late Brian and Dolly Doyle, Rockenham.

Brian (well known in business circles and a hurler of note) and Dolly were among the first residents of the Rockenham estate in the 1950s and were considered stalwarts of the local community. Kay received her secondary education at the Sacred Heart Good Counsel School and her first job was with Waterford Insurances at age 17, not long before she met Frank, the love of her life, whom she married in 1967.

Kay lived for her family to whom she was totally devoted. Possessed of a extremely pleasant disposition and a warm sense of humour, she enjoyed being with her friends to whom she was always loyal and there when needed. She had a zest for life and loved music whether it was a sing-song at family gatherings or attending Irish music festivals with Frank. A founding member of the Celtic Bridge Club, she was awarded a life-time membership in 2002.

Kay was an avid reader and had a great love of literature and words and possessed a commanding vocabulary. She was an extremely kind-hearted person who touched the lives of many people with her smile and generosity. She was one of those rare people that everybody loved to meet and she maintained her trademark sense of humour to the end.

The esteem in which Kay was held was reflected in the huge attendance at her removal and funeral. Present with family, friends and neighbours were representatives of the Business, Sporting, Political and Arts sectors.

The family has requested that all donations be sent to the wonderful people of South East Radiotherapy Trust at Waterford Regional Hospital for whom Kay was a volunteer driver. And they would like to thank the staff of the Coronary Care Unit at WRH for their tireless work while Kay was with them.