TRIBUTES have been paid to a widow who died in a single-vehicle crash just a few hundred yards from her home.
Mum-of-four Kay Lane, 66, was killed in Listowel, Co Kerry, on Wednesday night after previously losing her son in a road tragedy.
Ms Lane’s son, Tim, 21, died in a two-car collision in Newcastle West, Co Limerick, in 2010.
Her youngest son Patrick, 19, also died tragically in 2009 while in Shannon, where he was studying hotel management, while her husband Paddy passed away in 2013.
Kay is survived by her two daughters, Helen and Joan.
Locals last night told how Ms Lane was greatly admired for running the family farm following the deaths of her sons and husband.
Councillor Michael Foley hailed Kay as “a great woman, a powerful woman”, who was “very hard-working” and described her death as “very tragic”.
Former minister Jimmy Deenihan, who is from Ms Lane’s local area of Finuge, told how the local community was shocked by the tragedy.
He said: “She was a very popular lady. She was universally loved, and it is no exaggeration to say that people are numbed by what has happened.”
He added that Ms Lane had “taken on past tragedy very bravely” following the deaths of her two sons and her husband Paddy.
Another local councillor, Liam Nolan, declared the community was in mourning.
He said: “My heart and my sympathy goes out to her family and all of her close friends, of whom there are many.”
Cllr Nolan described Ms Lane as “an absolutely fantastic lady” who had experienced a lot of misfortune during her life.
Ms Lane’s remains will repose at Lyons Funeral Home, Derry, Listowel, tomorrow, from 3pm to 5pm.
Her requiem Mass is to be held at St Mary’s Church, Listowel, on Tuesday morning.
Locals last night remembered Kay as “a lovely lady” who ran the family farm.
One family friend said: ‘’Sincere sympathy to Helen and Joan and extended families on the sad passing of your mother ,Kay ,a beautiful human being. May Kay now be reunited with her husband and sons Tim and Patrick.’’
Another described her as ‘’a woman of enormous courage and strength. Kate you were a great neighbour, wonderful friend with a heart of gold. I will miss you forever. Rest in peace xxx’’
The crash occurred close to Kay’s home on the R555 at Tanavalla outside Listowel around 7:30pm on Wednesday.
She was the sole occupant of the car and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigating gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to the crash to come forward. They are also appealing to anyone with video footage (including dash-cam) from the area between 7pm and 7.30pm to make this available to them.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Listowel Garda station on 068 508 20, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
She had already lost her two sons[/caption]
