Heartbreaking reason Cat Deeley missed husband Patrick Kielty’s mum’s funeral revealed as she appears on This Morning
CAT Deeley has revealed the heartbreaking reason she was absent from husband Patrick Kielty’s mum Mary’s funeral yesterday.
The This Morning host, 48, was notably missing from the mournful occasion in Dundrum, Ireland.
Late Late Show host Patrick was pictured carrying his mum’s coffin a week after she died at her home in Co Down.
A spokesman for Cat told the Mail: “Cat remained at home to be there for her two young children before and after school on this very sad day.”
Cat and Patrick have two sons – Milo, eight, and James, five.
The popular presenter carried out school drop-offs and pick-ups either side of hosting yesterday’s This Morning alongside Ben Shephard.
A death notice described Mrs Kielty as a “loving mother” and “devoted grandmother” and added that she “will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her entire family circle, neighbours and friends”.
Mary Kielty is survived by her three sons, Patrick, John and Cahal.
The TV host’s father, Jack was tragically killed at the age of 44 during the troubles.
Patrick, who wore a dark grey suit with a white shirt and black tie, was visibly emotional as he carried the coffin on his shoulders to the church.
Dozens of family, friends and locals gathered outside on the streets to follow the hearse and pay their final respects.
Mourners at the Church of the Sacred Heart heard that Mrs Kielty had had “a difficult life”, referring to the death of her husband.
“It left its impact not only on the close family and friends, but also on the wider community,” parish priest Robert Fleck said.
“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.”
Canon Fleck said that in his last conversation with Mrs Kielty, she was “a bit tired” but managed to share some stories.
“Mary had a good sense of humour, her family have thrived on this gift,” he said.
“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.”
In the eulogy, Mrs Kielty’s eldest son John spoke about their “brilliant” childhood in the 1970s despite it being associated with “the darkest days” of the Troubles.
He said that Mrs Kielty was “a brilliant” mother and took her three sons “everywhere” while their father worked with showbands and at dances.
Kielty’s father John ‘Jack’ Kielty was murdered by the Ulster Freedom Fighters in 1988 during the Troubles.
Patrick was just 16 at the time and recalled the moment he was told of the tragic news in a BBC documentary.
He said: “It was the very first Red Nose Day and I’d put the posters up all around the school.
“When I was called to the headmaster’s office, I thought I was going to get told off because I’d plastered the entire school with them. Then I got to his office and one of my dad’s business colleagues was there. That’s when I knew something was terribly wrong.
‘I remember thinking, “I need to get home. How’s my mum? Where’s everybody else?” At the time you don’t realise you’re going through shock.'”
At the funeral, his brother John continued: ” Mary’s life changed in 1988 when daddy was killed. Left with three sons aged 18 and under, it was a real bad hand of cards.
“She got a job in the school, got involved in the football club. She even managed to become chairperson and she got the three of us reared.”
He said that in the 1990s, her grandchildren were born and gave her a new lease of life.