Jennifer, we all realise that the last few weeks have been immensely difficult for you; to watch a loved one become increasingly weaker is one of the hardest experiences there is in life. As a congregation we have been remembering you in prayer and we will continue to do so, praying that you and the family circle would continue to experience God’s peace, comfort and love in the days that lie ahead.

Today as we would remember the life and times of Kitty Hilditch we do so acknowledging that we have so many reasons to praise and to thank God.

To begin with we would thank God for the years he gave to Kitty, Catherine Margaret Montgomery, known as Kitty to us, and Katty to those in Donegal who was born on the 1 August 1920 in Donegal. You do not need me to tell you that the 1920s were a troubled period in Ireland’s history and they were dangerous days, especially for those living close to the border.

Yet we would thank God for the way he was with Kitty, during her childhood and we would thank God for those who shared her earliest days. Today we would especially remember Kitty’s sister Chrissie, with all of the memories she has of Kitty, and we would pray that Chrissie would know in a special way God’s love and grace.
Kitty never forgot her Donegal roots. It was something of which she was extremely proud and something she often spoke about. Donegal was an area to which Kitty loved to return, an area that she loved to show to her family, especially the river where she looked for pearls, and the places she roamed as a child.

After schooling, Kitty found employment in the drapery business that was to shape the course of Kitty's future in more ways than one. After working for Kearney Brothers in Donegal, Kitty was asked if she would help out in a new store in Belfast and she readily agreed. Moving to Belfast led to a meeting with a young sales representative by the name of Sam Hilditch, the meeting led to a date, and the rest they say is history, for it resulted in over 60 years of extremely happy married life together.

The marriage of Sam and Kitty was clearly a partnership in more ways than one. After getting married, Sam and Kitty moved to Derrygonnelly in Co Fermanagh to run a drapery business of their own. After a number of years, a friend told them about a business for sale in Ardglass and so the decision was made to move to Ardglass.
Ardglass was to be the best of times and the worst of times. The Hilditch family were extremely happy in Ardglass but then the business, their home, and every thing they possessed was destroyed by a firebomb. Kitty and Sam narrowly escaped with their lives. It was a devastating blow, but one they bounced back from. They started business again from a portacabin, and moved the family home to Downpatrick.

Today we would give thanks for the way the Lord was with Kitty during those years; yes there were good years and difficult years but we would give thanks to God for his faithfulness to her.
It is clear that family held a special place in Kitty’s heart. There was the family in Donegal, there was Sam with whom she shared so much of her life and there was Jennifer. You really do not need me to tell you what Kitty meant to Jennifer, or what Jennifer meant to Kitty

However, today we would give thanks for the closeness of that relationship, and for what they meant to one another. The family unit was extended with Jennifer’s marriage to Barry, and with the birth of the grandchildren Adam and Suzanne. And again in speaking with Kitty, it is clear, the place Adam and Suzanne held in her heart and the closeness of the relationship they enjoyed.

The joy of family was extended again quite recently with the birth of Tyson Jay, and I know that his safe birth brought immense joy to Kitty. Today we would give thanks to Almighty God for the love that Kitty shared with her family.

Today we would also give thanks for the way Kitty was able to face adversity especially with regards to her health. She suffered from brittle bones and she also suffered a heart complaint. On one occasion her two legs were broken, in latter years her mobility was severely restricted and yet Kitty always rose above the situation.

After retirement Sam and Kitty moved to Laurelvale, here in Crossgar but with the passing of the years Sam’s health deteriorated. And yet we give thanks for the years they were able to spend in Crossgar. For the opportunity to take things easy, for the opportunity to garden which was one of her favourite hobbies, and for the opportunity to write poetry.

Many wondered if Kitty would be able to go on after Sam’s death, but she was able to do so with the help of the carers, whom the family would sincerely thank. Jennifer also asked if I would acknowledge the friendship and the help of Ruby, Norman, Linda and the family.

It was clear that Kitty was finding things a bit more difficult at the end of last year and she did not appear to have the same spark. A few weeks ago Kitty was admitted to the Downe hospital, and it was in the Downe she passed away. Today we would give thanks to God for the life and times of Kitty, for all that was good in her life and for the memories that so many have of her stored in their hearts.

Click here to listen to an audio recording of the service

Click here to to continue to Lissara.com and enter web site