Patrick Kielty was visibly upset as he carried his mother’s coffin during a ceremony that took place at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Dundrum, Northern Ireland, on Monday
Heartbroken Patrick Kielty bid his mother a final farewell in Northern Ireland on Monday – carrying her coffin to her funeral.
The 54-year-old presenter was downcast as he prepared to say goodbye to his mother, Mary Kielty, who passed away at her home in Co Down on Saturday. Hundreds turned out to line the streets as those close to Mary and her family came together for a ceremony at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Dundrum
Patrick wore a grey suit and joined other pallbearers as he carried his mother’s coffin into the church. Mary was reportedly in her 80s at the time of her death – and a notice about her passing described her as a “loving mother” and “devoted grandmother”.
The notice added that she “will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her entire family circle, neighbours and friends”. Mary was the proud mother of Patrick along with his brothers John and Cahal.
Heartbroken Patrick Kielty carried his mother’s coffin to her funeral on Monday (
Image:
PA)
Patrick has been married to This Morning host Cat Deeley since 2012 and they have two children together; sons Milo, nine, and James, six. Cat remained at home to care for their young sons as the family processed their grief. A spokesperson told The Mirror: “Cat remained at home to be there for her two young children before and after school on this very sad day.”
The Sun reports that the funeral took place at 1pm on Monday and that mourners were also reminded of the tragic passing of Mary’s husband, Jack, who died aged 44 during the Troubles. The publication quotes the parish priest Robert Fleck referring to Mary as enduring a “difficult life”.
He is quoted stating: “It left its impact not only on the close family and friends, but also on the wider community. On the occasion of her funeral, we recommit ourselves to working for peace and reconciliation in the divided community that is the north of Ireland.”
Mary was in her 80s when she passed away on Saturday (
Image:
PA)
Patrick with his wife Cat Deeley (
Image:
Dave Benett/ Getty Images for Sp)
He added: “Mary had a good sense of humour, her family have thrived on this gift. Recently, Pope Francis met a number of world comedians, including Mary’s stand-up comic son Patrick. He spoke, the Pope did, of the gift that was theirs, and of how it also pointed to the joy of resurrection
Cat has been hosting This Morning since the latter half of last year following the departures of both Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby. In an interview last year, Cat said she would not hesitate to quit working on the long-running daytime TV show if it began to have an impact on her health.
Speaking to Grazia magazine last October, she said: “I don’t feel particularly vulnerable [taking over from Holly and Phil]. And I’d always think about my own mental health. If something was affecting me, or I hated going into work, I’d walk away. It’s more important that I enjoy what I do.”
The presenter was also quizzed on ‘toxic workplace’ allegations that had been attached to the This Morning set, with former stars Dr Ranj and Eammon Holmes previously hitting out at the ITV show. She said: “Well, obviously Ben [Shephard] and I had heard all of those stories. I can only speak as I find it, and I have no idea what happened before we were there, but I haven’t seen one scrap of it