Tributes pour in for Wexford librarian Kathleen Gleeson – ‘Gorey lost one of its best loved characters'
As the longest serving librarian in Gorey Kathleen had a great knowledge of the area and always welcomed newcomers to the library until her retirement in 2011 after 50 years of dedicated service.
County Librarian, Eileen Morrissey offered her condolences to the Gleeson family, and recognised Kathleen's work in Gorey. 'Kathleen was deeply embedded within the local community in Gorey, and she diligently provided an important public service to the community over many decades. Kathleen was branch librarian in Gorey for over 50 years.
'She worked from library premises above the Credit Union, in the Courthouse and the Market House. For most of her working life Kathleen worked alone, providing a personal and friendly service to all who came to the library,' Eileen added.
She further said that Kathleen was joined at the library in the Market House by three new colleagues, Barbara Nolan, Josephine Leacy and Martina Halford in 2007.
'She was of great assistance to them due to her extensive local knowledge and her love of local history,' Eileen said.
Kathleen's love for history was recognised as part of the County Wexford Oral History Project. 'She loved coming to work, and her energy and desire to help people never diminished.
'She will be fondly missed by all those who worked with her and came to know her over the years. Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis,' said Eileen.
Kathleen's father, James, was involved with the 1916 Rising and was known for cycling down from Gorey to Enniscorthy with a small group of men from Gorey. In 2023, Kathleen's family accepted a certificate signed by Mícheál Martin on her behalf, thanking her for all the work she has done for Fianna Fáil over more than 80 years.
Kathleen was heavily involved with Fianna Fáil, and had been a member of the party since 1949, joining when Éamon de Valera led the party. Wicklow Wexford TD, Malcolm Byrne, offered his deepest sympathies to her family, and paid tribute to Kathleen. 'Gorey lost one of its best loved characters with the death of Kathleen Gleeson, Esmonde Street.
'Kathleen was known to generations of people in north Wexford as the local librarian where her love of books was shared with so many. She was also known as the smiling face that greeting everyone who passed her famous half door at her home on Esmonde Street," Deputy Malcolm Byrne said.
"A lifelong member of Fianna Fáil, she was one of those who provided the earliest encouragement for me into politics, and she was always supportive of young people getting involved to make a difference," he said.
Members of the community paid tribute to the popular Gorey woman, with one person writing on RIP.ie: 'Heartfelt condolences to the Gleeson family on the sad passing of Kathleen. Fond memories of stopping to chat with Kathleen at the half door when we lived in Esmonde Street. May her gentle soul rest in peace.'
Another commented: 'Sincere condolences to Leo and all the family on your sad loss of Kathleen. Kathleen instilled in me as a young child a love of reading which I still have to this day, and I always valued my time with her in the 'small library' as it was then.'
Kathleen is survived by her son Leo, daughter-in-law Anne, grandchildren Leighton, Aoife and Leoni, close family partners Sharon, Paul and Connor, great grandchildren Leo and Ryan, nieces, nephews, relatives, a wide circle of friends and neighbours.
Funeral service will take place on Saturday at St. Michael's Church, Gorey at 12 noon, with burial afterwards in St. Michael's Cemetery, Gorey.
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