Maintained her faith in midst of adversity

Kathleen (affectionately known to many of her family and friends as Kate) was the second of eight children born to the late Mr Edward Walsh and Mrs Georgina Walsh, who resides at Lissize Park, Rathfriland. Kathleen was brought up in a farming background in the Donaghmore area and as a child was always busy about the farm or in the family home.

In her early teens she went along to Glen Orange Hall, where meetings where being held by the Faith Mission. Here she heard the Gospel and as a result professed faith in Christ.

Kathleen was greatly encouraged by the late Mr John Dickson of Banbridge, who sought to get young believers involved in evangelism.

After leaving school, Kathleen worked for a short time in a shop in Newry, before leaving for Edinburgh to train in the Faith Mission Bible College.

On completion of her training she was involved for a period in gospel outreach work in the Newcastle area, before taking up a position in the Faith Mission Bookshop. first in Belfast and later in Cookstown.

In 1975 Kathleen undertook further studies in Switzerland, at the Child Evangelism Fellowship Institute.

On completion of her studies she shared responsibility for evangelistic work among the children of Fermanagh, as one of two area directors.

This included summer work, setting up “good news clubs”, holding open air meetings, organising youth camps and holding teacher training classes.

In 1980 Kathleen married Robert Jardine of Garvaghy Church Road, Banbridge. Here she kept busy, helping on the farm, raising three children - Jonathan, David and Mark - and working with children and young people in local churches, until the onset of her illness prevented her from doing so.

At a service in Kathleen’s home the Rev Austin Allan brought to her family a word of comfort from the scriptures, after which Pastor Wilson closed in prayer.

A Service of Thanksgiving was held in Banbridge Free Presbyterian Church at which Mr Allan read the scriptures from Psalm 103 and led in prayer.

Two of Kathleen’s favourite hymns - “All the way my Saviour leads me” and “Forever with the Lord!” - were sung, Two tracts from her favourite CDs, “In heavenly love abiding” and “When this passing world is done” - which had given great her great comfort through her long illness - were played, the large gathering of mourners quietly following the words from the order of service. The Rev William Whiteside read from the Song of Solomon chapter 2 ver. 14 – 17, taking for 
his text, “Until the day break, and the shadows 
flee away”.

He also read words penned by Kathleen’s husband a few hours after the Lord called her home. ‘To you my love, I say goodnight. Twill be but a little time, Until we both shall view that sight, Of God the Son Divine’ (Mr Jardine later went on to pen an additional six verses).

At the graveside in New Cemetery Banbridge, Mr Ivor Park read from the scriptures and the Rev. Greenfield closed in prayer.

Following interment, the ladies of the congregation supplied refreshments to all present.

The funeral arrangements were entrusted to R J Poots and Co, Dromore.