On Hearing Of The Death Of Catherine Owen O Sullivan Poem by Francis Duggan

I remember her from Claraghatlea she was six years younger than I
And on looking back the decades the time just seemed to fly
And now I've heard the sad news from all of those miles away
That Catherine dear Catherine with the dead of Ireland lay.

She was in her forty eight year so young for one to die
And she should have had many years of life left to enjoy
Only the good die young they say those words for her ring true
For Catherine was a good soul and her equals were few.

She leaves behind her school going children still a decade from their prime
Her death for them a tragedy they need her at this time
Without their loving mother the hard roads of life they face
In their lives she was most important and she is so hard to replace.

The first time I met Catherine I readily can recall
She was with her mother Hanna and learning how to crawl
In Claraghatlea near Millstreet Town where her life's journey began
Yet two years short of fifty doesn't seem a lengthy span.

The life of Catherine Owen O Sullivan we ought to celebrate
For good souls live forever and her's was truly great
From life taken so early when she still had much to give
But in her children and their children she is destined to live.