A dark hole enveloped our lives at 7.10pm, October 15, 2014 when Cathy was suddenly taken from our lives.

Cathy, a woman of style and substance, closed her eyes and went home to Heaven, having succumbed to a short illness. Cathy has left behind her husband Jim, he daughters Lisa and Gael, and her son Michael, who she called her ‘golden boy’, as well as her son-law Ruaírí Boyle, and five beautiful grandchildren whom she adored, not to mention her extended family and a huge array of friends.

There were three loves in Cathy’s life – her family, shopping and smoking.

She was one of the city’s best known characters, she was a loyal sister to Ann and Michael, a loyal faithful wife to her husband Jim of 43 years. As most of you know, Jim has been in Spruce House for three and a half years and before Cathy’s short illness she visited him daily, often walking from her beautiful home in Abercorn Court.

Cathy worked all the way through her adult life, often with three jobs at one time, so she could give her wains the best things in life. Cathy was faultlessly generous in action and deed.

Jim, the wains, Ann and Michael, Ruaírí have been left with an unfillable void in their lives.

The following is a funny (often hilarious) anecdote about Cathy that got many of us through our dark days.

Cathy was a firm follower of the Catholic Church. She prayed for everyone and for more vocations to the priesthood which was very close to her heart. She was proud to be a Catholic and did her level best to get a private audience with the Pope on a recent trip to Rome!

Unfortunately, this did not manifest the way she had hoped, but Cathy and I did attend a high Mass in the Vatican on the fourth anniversary of her mother Bell’s death.

Although Cathy enjoyed the experience and found great peace from it, she wasn’t happy that she had to go without a smoke for two and a half hours. Cathy enjoyed many holiday with our other cousin Elaine and together they made many friends everywhere they went.

So much so that when news of her death was posted on social media, Elaine received many messages for all the people they men from many different parts of Europe.

That’s how far Cathy’s love for people travelled.

It was Cathy’s love for Italy that gave me the privilege to travel to Rome with her in March. The day we travelled was the first anniversary of my partner’s death, and Cathy knew it would be a hard day for me.

But she kept me entertained the whole day.

She even put her fear of flying to one side, because she loved and cared for all people around her. She was a great loyal friend to all who knew her, and no matter where she was, be it up the town, or on her holidays, Bernie and John always had to know where she was and what she was doing.

Cathy showed empathy and compassion to all who knew her.

She was a natural, gifted woman that no matter what, she could always turn a frown upside down.

Even after Cathy’s diagnosis on September 12, she still kept her sense of humour, and she was still able to make us all laugh.
We will miss our dear friend every day for the rest of our lives.

Cathy was a beautiful and loving cousin, one of life’s amazing women, taken from us long before we ready to let her go.

To you, Jim, Lisa, Gael, Michael, Ruaírí, the five grand wains, Michael and Ann, we are all so sorry for you loss of such a big hearted, caring and loving wife, mother and granny, sister, auntie and mother-in-law.

Cathy Doherty, at home safe and pain free in the arms of the angels.

Cathy Doherty, a woman of substance.

H.R

If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Derry Now editorial team on 028 7129 6600 for Derry City stories Or 028 7774 3970 for County Derry stories. Or you can email gareth@derrynews.net at any time.