THERE was great celebration at the Assessment and Treatment Centre in St Finbarr’s Hospital this week as popular patient Catherine (Kitty) McCarthy marked her 100th birthday.
The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Chris O’Leary, attended the party, along with many family and friends, where he read the President’s letter and presented her with her cheque.
Mrs Catherine McCarthy with Lord Mayor of Cork Chris O’Leary. Pics Gerard McCarthy
Originally from Garretstown, Kitty was one of seven siblings, born to John and Mary White. Having attended school in Ballinspittle, she moved to Cork to work when she was 14 where she met her husband to be Callaghan McCarthy 20 years later. The couple settled in Bishopstown, where Kitty still lives, and had three children Mary, Cal and John.
Fiercely independent, Kitty lives alone and busies herself baking and reading, particularly murder mystery novels.
As she has been attending the ATC since 1999, she was reportedly determined to hold her 100th birthday party there, in the company of the staff and patients she has grown to know.
The event, which was described as “a celebration of positive aging” by Clinical Nurse Manager Mary Hickey, even saw musical performances by other patients, with 90-year-old Maura McCarthy leading the musical accompaniment on keyboard.
“It was a lovely day,” Ms Hickey states.
“Her family came in and staff and other patients were delighted to enjoy the celebration.”
Ms Hickey states that Kitty is a great example of aging well.
“She is absolutely fantastic.
“She has an indomitable spirit and is very interested in what is going on. “Every time she comes into us she is dressed up and looks great.”
Kitty, whose cakes are very popular with those who know her, baked her own birthday cake and the staff in the department are looking forward to enjoying the Christmas cake she makes for them each year.
According to Ms Hickey, Kitty’s motto is “to keep going” and her secret to longevity is “trying not to worry or get stressed”.