07/05/2026
RIP Kay my deepest sympathies to John Janette Deirdre sinead and all of her beautiful family rest now in peace my flowery friend xox
It is with very heavy hearts and profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Mam, Catherine (Kay) O’Rourke. Mam passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of our Dad (Mr. Kay), us her daughters Janette, Deirdre, and Sinead, and of course her cherished grandchildren.
Mam was a disruptor long before it was a trend. In 1987, she opened Kay’s School of Floristry, driven by a singular vision, to open a "closed" industry and empower women to become independent. Mam believed in the power of independence and spent her life providing women with the skills and confidence to find employment or indeed start their own flower businesses.
To so many, Mam was one of the faces of the floral industry in Ireland, a true entrepreneur before the word even existed. She was known for her encouragement, her willingness to share her vast knowledge and skills and lift others up to give them the confidence to grow. While Mam has spent her recent years living with dementia, her strength, spirit and grace remained a beacon for all who knew her.
The floral industry has lost one of its greatest advocates, but our Mam’s ethics of support, kindness, and education live on, she instilled these values in us from a young age. We, Janette and Deirdre, are honoured to carry forward her legacy at Kays Flower School, keeping her vision alive every single day.
Mam, you didn't just teach people how to work with flowers, you taught them how to grow, bloom & blossom as individuals.
Funeral Arrangements to Follow
