TRIBUTES have been paid to gifted artist Kate Landers, from Killarney, who passed away, following an illness, on Tuesday.
Originally from Ballydowney but living in Coolbane West, Killorglin for a number of years, Kate was hugely popular in both communities where she had many friends and colleagues who had enormous respect and admiration for her skills and as a person of remarkable flair, creativity and intelligence.
She gave children in local schools and community groups a real appreciation for arts and crafts and Kate also provided the artistic inspiration for many of the magnificent sets that have featured in the annual productions of the Killorglin Pantomime Group, Killorglin Drama Group and the CYMS Players.
She regularly exhibited her fabulous paintings at the annual Killarney Rotary Club wine and art fundraiser for local charities and Kate put her broadcasting training and radio production skills to great use when she became the face and the voice of the popular Puck TV during the annual Puck Fair celebrations in Killorglin, teasing out great stories and real wit from many colourful characters.
In a tribute, Killorglin Pantomime Group, said Kate excelled in creating memorable fairytale-like scenes which added greatly to the visual impact of the panto.
She had many happy days and nights with the backstage crew and one of her most memorable designs was her incredible Yellow Brick Road to happiness creation.
“We will miss our artistic wizard. Rest in peace Kate Landers – you will be missed by those who loved you,” the panto crew said.
At Kate’s Requiem Mass in St Mary’s Cathedral, Killarney this Thursday, celebrant Fr Niall Howard, said even with all the advances in modern day technology, when camera phones can snap amazing images and they are posted online in the space of about five seconds, a skilled eye is still required to capture a captivating moment and that was a great talent Kate had.
“We give thanks for the talent of the artist to capture the moment of beauty and we give thanks for Kate’s talents,” he said.
“We give thanks for her creative eye to see a moment and to hold it for posterity. Having a God-given talent is one thing, sharing it is a different matter,” he added.
Fr Niall said Kate had given so much to her adoptive home of Killorglin, always keeping busy and always doing something for others. Family was so dear to her and genealogy was one of her great passions along with photography.
“God instilled so much beauty and love of it and such generosity of heart in Kate for her to share and inspire those who she encountered,” he said.
Predeceased by her parents, Patrick and Noreen, from Ballydowney, Killarney, Kate is survived by her son, David, sister Maggie (Bartley), brother Seán, brother-in-law Mick, sister-in-law Carol, her nieces and nephews, Aoife, Brian, Eimear, Niamh, Sinéad and Kirstie, many other relatives and great friends.
She has been laid to rest in Aghadoe Cemetery, Killarney.
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