The daughter of a well known Limerick model recovered from the River Shannon last week told her funeral mass she was a “heart-breaker, with a heart of gold”.
Natalie Katilius, who had worked for top model agents Celia Holman Lee and Fiona Doyle, had recently swapped the catwalk for a new career as a social worker with the homeless charity Novas.
“She had an absolute heart of gold, she was always a little heart-breaker. I wish it hadn’t been this tragedy to make me realise how incredible she is, and how beautiful she is.
"In everyday life, people my age could take things, like their mother, for granted,” Shannon Katilius’ told mourners.
Friends from the local model and fashion scene joined hundreds more and Ms Katilius’ family to say their final goodbyes at St Joseph’s Church, prior to a private cremation in Shannon, Co Clare.
Shannon Katilius said she and her mother were more likes sisters who would “argue with each other one minute, and be hugging the next”.
She poignantly concluded: “Mam, if you can hear me I want you to know you will always be my pumpkin and I will always be your pumpkin head, I love you forever mum.”
A friend added that Ms Katilius was “funny and feisty” and although she was “known for her obvious beauty, that didnt compare to her inner beauty”.
“Natalie was everyone’s number one supporter. All of our lives have been enriched, by knowing her, she would always fulfill her desire to help others.”
“She brought joy to my life, she picked me up when I was down and made me laugh countless times. My dear friend I am mad that you have left us, because I always presumed you would always be around to share more laughs and adventures with, but the angels have called you.”
Canon Donough O’Malley told Ms Katilius’ family they were “full of sadness today because a very vibrant, artistic, gentle person has left you”.
“She was gentle and pure in spirit. She had an appreciation and a willing and an intent to help others. She put her weight to the wheel to see that those who were hungry and thirsty were in some way satisfied.”
Ms Katilius’ colleagues from Novas also attended to pay their final respects.
“She was a loving daughter, loving mother and loving friend. That one so young has been called home, we are truly saddened, because we always regret that the potential of a young person is enormous, and it was just coming to full-flower when natalie was called,” Canon O’Malley added.
“May her noble, gentle and artistic soul rest in peace.”
A book about Ms Katiluus’ favourite singer, Justin Timberlake, was brought to the altar as a symbol of her love for his music.
Mourners clapped and smiled as they heard the mother of one got to touch her musical hero’s hand while attending one of his concerts, following which she joked she would never wash her hands again.
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