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Tributes Paid To ‘Quiet But Powerful’ IRISH

Widow Of Disappeared Victim EXAMINER

ributes have been paid to “I’ve known Kathleen for and praying that Charlie would door felt so much better for the Christian burial that had
the “quiet but powerful” many years, and like all who be brought home. having been in her company.” been denied for so long. |
Twidow of one of met her, including presidents “She never accused anyone Geoff Knupfer, the lead “We all knew what it meant
Northern Ireland’s and prime ministers, it was her or expressed bitterness. investigator of the ICLVR, said to Kathleen to be able to lay
Disappeared, who has died aged warmth, kindness and a deep “She was the absolute it was “very sad news”. Charlie to rest.” December
90. spiritual presence that stayed embodiment of fortitude and “Kathleen was a lovely Mrs Armstrong is survived
Kathleen Armstrong’s hus- with you for ever after,” he dignity in the face of an endur- woman and so gracious in all by her daughter Anna and sons
band Charlie was one of the 16 said. ing tragedy. her dealings with the ICLVR,” Charles, Jim and Terry. 11th,
people who were murdered “Despite the almost “And there was a no more he said. The search goes on for the 2019
and secretly buried by republi- unimaginable pain and grief of warm and welcoming place “Everyone involved was so final three members of the
cans during the course of not only losing Charlie, but for than Kathleen’s home, and glad that we were able to Disappeared whose remains
Northern Ireland’s troubled the best part of 30 years not everyone who crossed the return Charlie’s remains for are still missing. C
past. knowing where he lay, she
Mr Armstrong was last seen never let it get in the way of
on his way to Mass in the compassion she felt and
Crossmaglen, Co Armagh in showed to others, especially
August 1981. those who suffered the same
His remains lay undiscov- pain and grief.”
ered for almost 30 years, until Sandra Peake, chief execu-
they were found in July 2010 in tive of the Wave Trauma
a bog at Colgagh, Inniskeen, Center, which has supported
Co Monaghan following a the families of the Disappeared
search by the Independent since the 1990s, described Mrs
Commission for the Location Armstrong as an “exceptional
of Victims’ Remains (ICLVR). woman of grace with a heart of
Actor James Nesbitt was gold”.
among those who paid tribute “She was a woman of great
to Mrs Armstrong, who died in faith and serenity,” she said.
a nursing home on Friday. “She never gave up hoping