Death of former ICA national president, Kitty Harlin of Kilmessan

The death occurred this morning of Kitty Harlin of Kilmessan, the former national president of the ICA, who was a prominent public figure in the county and country for decades.

Aged 95, she died peacefully at Care Choice Nursing Home, Trim.

Mrs Harlin was named the Royal Meath Association’s Meath Personality of the Year in 1991 as her three-year term as national president of the Irish Countrywomen’s Association came to an end.

During that term she undertook a ground-breaking trip to China, and her diary of the visit was carried in instalments in the Meath Chronicle afterwards.

She then went on to be elected president of COFACE - the Confederation of Family Organisations in the European Community, the first person from outside the major European countries to hold the role, overseeing 90 organisations across member states, all with different issues and needs.

It was a huge commitment and challenge, and during that time Mrs Harlin was also a founder member, vice-president and spokesperson for the International Year of the Family.

She was awarded a special UN Testimonial for her “exemplary support to the United Nations Programme during the International Year of the Family 1994.”

Early involvement in the first Scurlogstown Olympiad festivals and the founding of Scurlogstown ICA in the 1960s were her first steps into community activities and organisations, and she was Meath Federation president from 1979 to 1981.

She was appointed to the board of ACOT and represented ICA on the Consumer Committee in Brussels.

In 1998, she was chairperson of the Meath People in Need RTE Telethon committee.

A native of Sligo, Kitty Feeney’s family came to Cardiffstown, Kilmessan, and she trained as a nurse in England before marrying farmer Michael Harlin of Asigh and setting up their family farm at Finglaghstown House, Kilmessan.

Predeceased by her husband, Michael, daughter, Rosanna Murphy, brother Thomas and sister Lily Hayes, Kitty is survived by her sons, Maurice and Michael, grandchildren, Daire, Aoibheann, Jessica, Jamie, Harry, Conor and Grainne, brothers Paddy and Michael, sisters Rev Sr Marie Patrice (Imelda), Rosario Fitzsimons and Carmel Campion. daughters in law Pam and Audrey, son in law Pat, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

She is reposing at her son Michael's residence at Dublin Road, Trim, C15 VY84 tomorrow, Sunday from 4pm to 8pm. Removal on Monday morning to The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Kilmessan, arriving for Funeral Mass at 11am followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.

The Funeral Mass can be viewed on www.kilmessanparish.ie/live-streaming/

Family flowers only, donations, if desired, to NCBI, which was Kitty's favourite charity.