Heartfelt tributes to a much-loved Omagh woman

A FOUNDING Eucharistic Minister in Drumragh Parish and a woman of deep faith, Katie McElhill has been remembered as a quiet, humble presence whose life was a privilege to witness.

Katie passed away earlier this month at the age of 95. She was the beloved wife of the late James, and a much-loved mother to Mavis, Jim, Sinéad, Pat, Catherine, Pauline, Chris, Rosie, Eddie, Martin and the late Bernadette.

At her Requiem Mass, Fr Joseph Varghese paid tribute to Katie’s lifelong devotion to faith, family, and community.

“Katie was a person of deep and abiding faith, with a great devotion to the Holy Eucharist,” he said. “She was among the first to serve as a Eucharistic Minister in the parish. It has been a privilege to have her as part of our faith community.”

Born in 1929, Katie was the second of nine children. With her father working as a farm labourer, she spent much of her early years moving from cottage to cottage. Leaving school at the age of 12, she became a carer to her blind mother and later a maternal figure to her younger siblings.

She met her husband, Jimmy, at a dance. The couple lived in Coalisland before settling in Omagh, where Katie raised her family of 11 children in Centenary Park – her home until her passing.

Despite her responsibilities, she continued to care for her parents and remained deeply rooted in prayer and daily Mass attendance.

“Katie gave a living example of the Beatitudes,” Fr Varghese added. “She accepted suffering with quiet grace and remained a woman of gentle, unwavering faith.”

Katie was laid to rest at Greenhill Cemetery on the Gortin Road, surrounded by her loved ones and parish community.