Derry's Kathleen celebrates 90th birthday

A very special Derry lady has marked a very special occasion.

Derry’s Kathleen Green (née Strawbridge), who is originally from the Bleach Green in Ardmore, celebrated her 90th birthday last week, in the delighted company of 30 of her closest family and friends.

Kathleen’s nephew, Paul O’Kane, popped into the Derry News office to tell us all the craic.

Kathleen with her daughter, Bernadette Barnes from Jersey.

Smiling, he said: “This was actually Kathleen’s second 90th birthday party. She had one the week before last in Jersey, where her daughter, Bernadette, lives.

“Then she flew back to Derry for the Ebrington Hotel party, where she was surrounded by her family and friends. Bernadette organised the Derry party and was there with her son, Dominic, and her friend, Richard. 

“Kathleen’s sister, Pamela, was also there with her family. Kathleen’s sister, Patricia, who lives in Coleraine was unable to attend due to illness,” said Paul.

Kathleen’s husband, Geoff, sadly passed away a number of years ago.  Geoff had been in the Navy before joining the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service. The family lived in Burnley in Lancashire, England, before returning to Derry.
There is a great Fire Service connection in Kathleen’s extended family.

Paul said: “I was in the Fire Service here in Derry and Kathleen’s late sister, Evelyn, was married to Jackie Kennedy - from Iona Terrace in the Waterside - who was in the Fire Service in Newry.”

Paul added that Kathleen had a great time at her party and stayed over in the Ebrington Hotel for a couple of nights.