Heartache for Hollywood movie star Liam Neeson after his 94-year-old mother dies day before his birthday

Tributes have poured in online after the death of Catherine (Kitty) Neeson - the mother of movie-star Liam Neeson.
Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 7th June 2020 - 

File photo taken in 2013 of Liam Neeson with his mother Kitty Neeson in the mayors parlour at the Braid Arts Centre & Town Hall, Ballymena after the globally acclaimed movie star was awarded the Honorary Freedom of the BoroughPress Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 7th June 2020 - 

File photo taken in 2013 of Liam Neeson with his mother Kitty Neeson in the mayors parlour at the Braid Arts Centre & Town Hall, Ballymena after the globally acclaimed movie star was awarded the Honorary Freedom of the Borough
Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 7th June 2020 - File photo taken in 2013 of Liam Neeson with his mother Kitty Neeson in the mayors parlour at the Braid Arts Centre & Town Hall, Ballymena after the globally acclaimed movie star was awarded the Honorary Freedom of the Borough

News of Mrs Neeson’s death was announced during an online Mass from All Saints Church in Ballymena, which was broadcast over Facebook on Saturday.

Mass-goers were told that the former cook, who was 94, had died.

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Parish Priest, Monsignor Paddy Delargy, led the service where he announced the death of Liam’s beloved mother during an invitation to prayer.

In A Tweet posted yesterday Ballymena newsagent Eugene Diamond, who knew Mrs Neeson, said: “Very sad news this evening in Ballymena Liam Neeson’s mother Kitty has passed away”.

A post on Funeral Times says: “Neeson Catherine (Kitty) 6th June 2020 (peacefully) at Slemish Nursing Home, late of 2 Kenvara Broughshane Road, Ballymena.

“Beloved wife of the late Barney, loving mother of Elizabeth, Bernadette, Liam and Rosaleen a devoted grandmother and great grandmother.”

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It adds that her funeral will be “strictly private” with the cortege leaving Henry’s Funeral Parlour, Broughshane Street on Tuesday 9th June at 12.30 pm to Ballymena cemetery.

It adde: “This is an opportunity for her neighbours and many friends to pay their respects and show their support for the family, while adhering to social distancing.

“Lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family and family circle at home, U.S.A. , Worthing and Waterford.

“Our Lady Queen of Peace pray for her”

Mrs Neeson had worked in the canteen at Saint Louis Grammar School in Ballymena.

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He death comes 11 years after the tragic death of Liam’s wife, the actress Natasha Richardson.

The star sadly died aged 45 following a skiing accident.

Liam and Natasha have two children; sons Micheál, 24, and Daniel, 23.

On Facebook DUP MP for north Antrim, Ian Paisley, extended his sympathy.

“I was saddened today to hear about the passing of Liam Neeson’s mother.

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“I had the pleasure of meeting Kitty many times and when Liam was awarded ‘Freeman of Ballymena’.

“I’d like to express my condolences to Liam and the rest of the family circle at this sad time.

“My thoughts and prayers are with them at this time”.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Peter Johnston, said: “I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Kitty Neeson, the mother of Freeman of our Borough, Liam.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time.

“As Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, I will be raising this at full council on Tuesday, where we will be holding a minute’s silence. Rest in Peace, Kitty.”

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Hollywood star Liam is a Freeman of the borough where Kitty lived.

Tributes to Mrs Neeson detailed her love and affection for pupils at St Louis.

One said: “R. I. P. Kitty, remember her well from my school days in St Louis, lovely friendly lady. Condolences to all her family at this sad time”.

Another said: “Sincere sympathy to the Neeson family on the death of their mother.A lovely friendly lady who remembered so many of us from St. Louis.She always enjoyed meeting and chatting to past pupils.May she rest in peace” and another said: “God bless Kitty. Sincere smypathy to the family at this heartbreaking time”.

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