Oct 26 Combined JW - Flipbook - Page 28
Hayling Herald Obituary
Catherine “Cathy” Kennealy
1938 – 2026
CATHERINE “Cathy” Kennealy, affectionately
known to her family as Nana Darling, passed
away peacefully in August, surrounded by love.
Born in Ballymacotter, County Cork, Ireland,
in 1938, Cathy began life as a spirited little girl
known as Kitty, running barefoot through the
Irish countryside.
At the age of 11, she moved with her family to
London, beginning a lifetime in which she faced
every change and adventure with determination,
humour and an extraordinary ability to make the
very best of life.
At 16, she met the love of her life, her beloved
“Gee”, and they went on to share 50 wonderful
years of marriage. Together they enjoyed a colourful and adventurous life, from the excitement
of London in the 1950s and 1960s, to their years
with Warner Holidays, including five memorable
years in Majorca.
In 1966, Cathy made Hayling Island her home.
It was here that she built not only a life and a career, but also a lasting place for herself within the
community. Over the decades that followed, she
formed countless friendships and connections
that meant a great deal to her.
Cathy was a true people person. During her
varied career, she worked as a children’s entertainer, training officer and holiday centre manager. She went on to become General Manager of
Southleigh and Sinah Warren on Hayling Island
— a role that reflected her natural leadership,
warmth and remarkable ability to bring people
together.
She broke new ground for women along the
way and earned the respect and affection of those
who worked with her. Wherever Cathy went,
friendships followed, many lasting for the rest of
her life.
Later in life, Cathy dedicated much of her time
and energy to Hayling Island Community Centre. She volunteered, raised money, organised
excursions and wrote the Community Centre
newsletter, always finding new ways to support
local people and strengthen the community she
loved. The centre became an important part of
her life and gave her another opportunity to do
what she did best – welcome people, create connections and make things happen.
Cathy loved a gathering and needed very little
excuse for a party. Christmas, Easter, Bank Hol28
idays — or simply an opportunity for silly hats,
games, music and laughter — were all occasions
to bring people together. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and she had a wonderful gift for making
people feel included.
In 2020, Cathy moved to Denmead Grange,
which became a much-loved home. Even after
being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she continued to embrace life – bingo, gardening, cooking,
flower arranging, outings, music, learning Italian
and, naturally, helping to organise events.
Cathy leaves an enormous space in our family,
at Hayling Island Community Centre and in the
lives of the many people fortunate enough to
have known her.
She taught us, simply by the way she lived, to
embrace change, make the best of things, look
after one another and never miss an opportunity
to have some fun.
Her warmth, laughter and generous spirit will
live on in her family, her friends and the Hayling
Island community she loved so dearly.
