Kathleen Marie (Kathy) SKELLY
(née Ryan)

I sat close to Kathy in the Law Library for several years. I remember her fondly as a serious person with a mischievous wit. Her unexpected peals of laughter often lightened moments and lifted our spirits. Life took us in different directions. Though I saw Kathy less frequently in recent years,
our occasional ad hoc meetings were always a pleasure. Kathy spoke warmly about her family and with relish about whatever she was enjoying in the moment. One of our last meetings was at an interval in the Abbey Theatre. Kathy's enthusiasm for the play lit up the foyer. We are all the richer for encountering Kathy on the path of life. The loss of the vibrant, life force, Kathy, must be unimaginably difficult for her family and close friends. My sincere sympathy to Kathy's family and close friends. I hope that with time happy memories go some way towards displacing the pain of the incalculable loss. You are in my thoughts.

I had the great honour of working closely with Kathy over the past four years. I am deeply saddened by her death. She was a very generous person. We travelled to Luxembourg on a case together, which only seems like yesterday. We had a lovely meal afterwards. She was a great colleague and someone who I trusted and who showed trust in me.

Sending all our love, support and sympathy to all the family for your sad loss. xx

Sincere sympathy to all of Kathy’s family. Kathy will be very missed in the Attorney General’s Office. There has been an air of deep sadness in the Office since Kathy’s death. She was a lovely colleague - kind, supportive and always willing to help. She was full of life and full of fun. The service on Saturday was a wonderful tribute to her.

I feel fortunate to have met Kathy through her role in the AGO. She was an absolute pleasure to work with, such a warm and engaging personality and a brilliant lawyer. Sincere condolences to her family and wishing you every strength for the time ahead.

I am so sad to hear of Kathy's death. I worked with Kathy in Eagle Star and remember the day she told me she wanted to study at the Bar shortly after I had just finished there and just before I went off to live in the UK. I'm glad and not entirely surprised to hear of all of the wonderful things she went on to do after her studies. We shared a lot of laughs and giggles at coffee breaks and after work. She was a wonderful colleague and a wise and caring friend. My deepest sympathy to all of her family at their devastating loss.

My encounter with Kathy has been relatively short, but intense while she has worked enthusiastically for the Legal Service of the Commission. Yet, we got along very well working on some fruit and veg litigation. Her sense of duty, humor, knowledge, openness and friendliness made life easier for a newcomer to the team and the Polish song “Kocham Cię jak Irlandię” made a lot of sense. A great lawyer and a true European. Her passing makes me deeply said. All the strength to the Family to carry on her legacy.

We will all miss you Kathy. Such a great colleague to work with, such an excellent friend to share a pint, a nice conversation and a laugh. Condolences to your family and to all those who love you.

My deepest condolences to Kathy’s family and friends. Kathy’s death is a devastating loss to you and to all of us who had the honour to know her. She was such a fabulous colleague, I had the privilege to be stationed near to her office when I first joined, and I benefitted so much from her experience and wit and warmth. May she rest in peace.

My deepest condolences to Conor, Megan, Margaret, Kevin, Danny and Dermot, and all Kathy's extended family, I am so sorry for your loss of such a wonderful mother, daughter, partner, sister and treasured friend.
Words cannot express the impact Kathy has had on me and so many others I have met. Her warmth, generosity, quick wit, intelligence and playful mischievousness were infectious and never failed to make my day better. I count myself lucky to have known her for the few short years I did.
Always true to herself and others, tá sí ar shlí na fírinne anois.

I am extremely sad and shocked to hear of Kathy’s untimely passing. We were working together in the European Commission, and I much appreciated her. She was such a lovely person, kind, witty, and highly competent. She will be deeply missed!
My deepest condolences to all Kathy’s family and friends, and my warm thoughts in particular to her mother, her children, and her partner.

To Kathy’s family, sending you my deepest condolences at this difficult time. Kathy was such a lovely warm person and a wonderful colleague. May she rest in peace.

My deepest sympathies to Kathy's family on her recent death. Kathy was a kind, wise and supportive colleague, particularly generous with her time and advice, she will be sorely missed.

Kathy's family, I am so very sorry for your loss - Kathy was a lovely, kind and generous person and I am grateful to have known her even a little. Thinking of you at this sad time.

To all of Kathy's dear family, wishing you my sincerest condolences on the loss of Kathy.

I am so sorry for the loss of such a beautiful person. She was a pleasure to work with and great fun too. May she rest in peace

Megan, sincere sympathy to you and your family on the passing of Kathy, may she Rest in Peace.

I am deeply saddened to hear of Kathy's passing. She was a dedicated and good-humoured colleague and will be missed.

David Noonan, Department of Health

My sympathy to Kathy's family - her beloved children were so much part of our chats in Brussels during Kathy's time with the European Commission. As others have said so well, Kathy was a kind, vibrant, interested, witty and engaging friend to meet up with and we invariably came away happier from time spent with her over a pint in Kitty O'Shea's. I was so sad to hear about her illness and untimely death - she had much more to give. Rest in peace, Kathy.

We were so sorry to hear of Kathy's illness and death. She was a wonderful colleague for which no legal problem appeared to be too intractable. Supportive but realistic, she was always a pleasure to deal with. The service at the Victorian Chapel at Mount Jerome was a great testament to her. Our deepest sympathies to her children, Conor and Megan, her mother Margaret, partner Kevin, brothers Danny and Dermot, and extended family and friends. May Kathy Rest In Peace.

Our thoughts and sincerest condolences are with you all at this very sad and difficult time.

My deepest condolences. During her stay in Brussels I learned Kathy as a good humoured, optimistic colleague who was always friendly and ready to help. My prayers are with her.

Sincere sympathies to Kathy’s family.

My sincere condolences Megan on the passing of your mum. May she Rest In Peace.

Very sorry to hear of Kathy's passing - deepest condolences to her family on their loss. Suaimhneas síoraí di.

My sincere sympathies to Megan and both the Skelly & Ryan families on your sad and untimely loss. May Kathy rest in peace.

My deepest condolences to Kathy’s family and her partner Kevin. I have very fond memories of her friendship from our days in the Inns, the Law Library and social get-togethers after that to keep in touch. She was great fun, warm, wise and much more besides. She will be greatly missed.

I have treasured memories of Kathy’s bright spirit and her joy for the craic of life. In a debate her disarming charm coupled with the brains and strategy of Athena was a match for anyone. And over a pint of Guinness she’d make you smile with her infectious mischievous laugh. She’ll be greatly missed. Our thoughts and condolences are with you the family in this sad time.

Kathy was such a wonderful person to work with and will be greatly missed. My deepest condolences to all the family. Andrew Munro. Dept of Justice.

Condolences to Kathy’s family and her dear Kevin. The sentiments expressed at her beautiful service captured the essence of Kathy. I know she would want her family and friends to stay close and tend the memories…. But it’s hard.
CRionna Creagh

I was very sorry to hear of Kathy’s passing. I remember her as warm, generous, genuine and decent. My sincere condolences to her family.

Very sorry to hear of Kathy's death. I worked with her in the Department of children and she was so friendly and positive as a colleague. Condolences to her family and friends

So very sorry to hear about Kathy. Such a gentle warm person, a pleasure to work with. Beautiful ceremony. Sincere condolences to you all.

My sincere condolences to Kathy's family on their huge loss. I worked with Kathy in the Department of Health and she was a hard-working and dedicated colleague with a great sense of humour . Ar dheis Dé go raibh sí.

Kathy came into our lives in 1995 when she and Mary started at the King's Inns. Mary and Kathy shared an interest in history, literature, and, of course, law. There was a group of four "mature" students, Colette, Crionna, Mary and Kathy, who bonded together over the years of keeping up with lectures and assignments, along with working and looking after families. The four then became a support group in the Library. Despite moving in separate directions we kept in touch, not least through a WhatsApp group. One of the last times we met as a group was at our daughter Anna's wedding in Rathsallagh, Co Wicklow. There were regular enjoyable reunions over food and wine with lots of gossip about what was happening in legal circles.

Kathy was an enormously enriching friend, full of life and mischief - but also wisdom and caring. Later on she got to know our son Owen who was based in Paris with the Department of Foreign Affairs. They met up in Brussels and perhaps had the odd pint or two after long meetings in the Commission.

We're going to miss her greatly

Mary, Peter and Owen Feeney

Kathy, your passing so prematurely is a deep shock. Always a treasured and entertaining barstool pal! You became so much more when we both went abroad, and on your return. I thought there would be so many more pints in unpretentious pubs and Alicante visits. Grateful for all the laughs we shared, your true kindness and fierce intelligence. I will miss you. Home and away. I have more than my fair share of great memories as a consolation; Well done Megan, Danny and Gill for doing Kathy proud today. Sincere condolences to all who loved her.

We were very sorry for Kathy's passing . Much to early

Happy memories Kathy and all my love to your family and many friends. Sorry I couldn't be there but watched the most beautiful service on-line. I felt the love and the loss that emanated, but you will never be forgotten. God bless you Kathy.

My sincere condolences to Kathy’s family and friends. The service for her this evening was very beautiful. I feel privileged to have gotten the opportunity to work with her in recent years. RIP

To all of Kathy's family our sincerest condolences.

With all our love and sympathy,

Dolores, John & Jessica

Please accept our heartfelt condolences in the passing of our dear sweet Kathleen. She achieved so much in her short life. It was definitely a life well lived.

I am so sorry for your loss, I had the enormous pleasure of getting to know Kathy during our time in Brussels.
She was so full of love and fun, a genuinely warm welcome always awaited. I will dearly remember many a lively debate. She will be sorely missed and our lives were the better for knowing her. xx

Kathy was a great colleague in my days at AGO, I'll remember her fondly for encouraging me to study for the Bar and for always having a smile and laugh around the office. Lots of love to Megan and the rest of the family at this difficult time xx

I am deeply saddened by Kathy's passing and my heartfelt condolences go to her family and loved ones. Working closely with Kathy during her time in Brussels was an immense pleasure from a professional and an even greater pleasure from a human perspective. She was simply a wonderful person.

Dearest Danny, Andrea, Archie & extended family. Please accept our deep, heartfelt condolences on the loss Kathy. Thinking of you all during this incredibly sad, painful and difficult time. All our love Paul, Catherine, Lucy and Matthew xxxx

Sincere sympathy to Megan and her family on Kathy's untimely passing. I have very fond memories of our time in Brussels. A really lovely lady whom I had the pleasure of knowing.

I worked with Kathy many years ago in her insurance days and we shared many laughs as well as eyerolls. So very sad to hear of her untimely passing and sincerest condolences to all who loved her.

My deepest condolences to all Kathy's family and loved ones.

Sincere condolences to all the family of Kathy on her heartbreaking passing. Kathy was a fantastic lawyer and supportive colleague. She will be sorely missed.

Deepest condolences to Conor, Megan and all Kathy’s family and friend . Thinking of you all during these sad times

Danny & family, we are deeply saddened to hear of Kathy's untimely passing.
We wish you all long life and happy memories always.

So very sorry to hear .
She lit up any room she entered.
My condolences to her family .
May she rest in peace .

Kathy ..so sad. So funny and intelligent. Made 3 years in UCD bearable. And when l asked a big favour she didn't bat an eye lid and took care of my daughter in her home in Brussels. Had the pleasure of working in Health and Children with her..so well respected. Love to all her family.

Danny & family, Please accept our heartfelt condolences on the loss Kathy. Thinking of you in this difficult time.

Dear Peggy, Danny and Dermot:
I am so sorry. Kathy was such a bright and beautiful young woman growing up with us all in “The Laurels”, she was so good at everything she did…she was kind, funny, intelligent and held in high regard by us all. She had a bit of magic to her. I hope you celebrate her life well. I am sorry not to be able to attend.
Please accept my condolences and our thoughts are very much with you and Kathy’s family, partner and her children.

I was deeply saddened to hear about Kathy’s untimely passing. She was always a really lovely person to deal with in work. My deepest condolences to her family at this heartbreaking time. Hopefully your lovely memories of her will in time bring some comfort.

My deepest condolences to all Kathy’s family. We met in Brussels. She was such a lovely lady and great company to be with. We remember her very fondly.

Very fond memories of working with Kathy in Eagle Star to all her family my sincere condolences on her
passing.

Our love & thoughts are with Danny, Andrea & the whole family at this very sad time.
With much love

We send our love and condolences to Peggy, Danny, Dermot, Conor, Megan and all the family.

We are very sad. We hope that memories of happy times with your Kathy will help you through these sad times. Rest in peace Kathy.