James pays loving tribute to his late mother

Christmas this year will be tinged with sadness for Athlone man James McCormack, whose mother, Kathleen, passed away last July following a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer.

Kathleen, of College Park in Athlone, inspired James and his sister Laura to organise fundraisers this year which raised thousands of euro for the Irish Cancer Society and the South Westmeath Hospice.
James (30) is now living in Toronto, Canada, and over the last year and a half he has undertaken a remarkable personal fitness journey, losing 135 lbs (almost 10 stone) to reach his current weight of 235lbs.
He was home during the summer when Kathleen died in the care of the staff at the South Westmeath Hospice, and this week he paid an emotional tribute to his mother.
"She was taken from us at 60 years of age - far too young," said James. "I found it extremely difficult, as you would expect. It was very surreal for all of us.
"What we will miss most about Mam are just the normal things. She was a selfless lady. She cared for her children immensely. She would always put us first and did everything she could to make our lives better.
"We could all speak to her one-on-one about literally anything. She was an amazing listener, always on hand to help. Personally speaking, she has done so much for me throughout my life I couldn't even explain.
"We really loved her laugh, it was so endearing. She was just generally a very easygoing woman with a heart of gold.
"The biggest compliment I could give her, is that in all my life, I have genuinely never met anybody who ever had an ounce of dislike for her.
"She was an outstanding mother, grandmother, wife, friend and neighbour. She along with my dad, Jimmy, have raised myself and four other children who I am so honoured to call my siblings.
"We will all remember her as long as we live and we will ensure her character lives on through all of us," said James.
His weight loss began after he had reached a point where he felt "fed up and ashamed" of being overweight. After losing seven stone in a year, he completed his first-ever half marathon in Toronto last May.
The run was a fundraiser for the Irish Cancer Society and he surpassed his target of generating $5,000 for the cause.
After Kathleen's passing, James's sister Laura and other family and friends held a fundraiser in The Fiddlers pub in Athlone for the South Westmeath Hospice, and this generated an impressive €3,300. 
"The care the Hospice provided was second to none and we are all eternally grateful to the staff there," he said.
James's personal fitness story has been going "from strength to strength" this year.
"My diet and lifestyle have changed entirely. My mental health is great, my relationship with my girlfriend is stronger than ever, my work life has gotten better, my sleep patterns are now regular.
"Literally every aspect of my life has improved and I put this all down to me simply prioritising my health."
He has gone on to complete three more half marathons since the Toronto half marathon in May, and he posts about his progress on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube accounts under the name ‘Wont Fit Get Fit’. He hopes to complete his first full marathon at some stage in 2019.
James's girlfriend, Nicola Monaghan, is from Ballymore and some of her family will be coming to Toronto for a visit over the Christmas period.
He told the Westmeath Independent he wanted to wish his family and friends at home a very Happy Christmas and New Year.
"A special mention to brother in-law Denis, my god daughter Libby and nephews Alex and Callum. Especially my Dad Jimmy, my brother Mark and my three sisters Tracie, Jaime and Laura.
"I know our first Christmas without Mam is very hard on all of us, but I really hope we aren't too upset, and also that you can enjoy it as much as possible.
"I know Mam would be so proud of all of us. Sorry I can't be there with you, but I will be there in spirit, just like Mam will be. I miss and love you all from the bottom of my heart," he concluded.
* For more stories from local people who will be overseas this Christmas, see a special feature in our edition coming out tomorrow, Saturday, December 22.