Katie Houlihan

Houlihan, Katie MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. Katelyn Elizabeth Houlihan passed away suddenly Sunday, May 25, 2008 in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Fla. She was 23. Katie, as she was known by her adoring family and friends, was living in Madeira Beach, and was enrolled in the business management program at the University of South Florida College of Business in St. Petersburg. Born September 27, 1984 in Schenectady, N.Y., Katie was the daughter of Janet Elizabeth Belden Houlihan, originally of Benson, Vt. and Milford, N.H. and John Francis Houlihan of Schenectady. Her maternal grandparents are the late Rita Knight Belden and Russell Harvey Belden of Benson and Milford; her paternal grandparents are Lucille Watson Houlihan and the late Judge James P. Houlihan of Schenectady. Katie graduated from Schenectady High School in 2002 and attended Schenectady County Community College, graduating Summa Cum Laude with an associate degree in humanities in 2004. She was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honors Society. Following graduation, she moved to Fla. to continue college. Katie loved all children, but especially loved her nephew, Sam, with whom she was a kindred spirit. Sam loved his Aunt Katie even more than his favorite toys and Katie looked forward to her visits home to see her Sammy and her new niece, Clara. She couldn't bear to be away from her niece and nephew for too long. Katie also loved her Fla. surroundings, especially the local beaches, where she often spent time with her many best friends. She could be frequently found dancing to a favorite song, or just laying in the sun on St. Pete or Madeira beaches. Thanks to her sister Kelly and their trips together, Katie developed a love of nature. She often watched the dolphins from the dock at her apartment; she spontaneously picked flowers to wear in her hair. Katie had a radiant smile, a radiance from head to toe. She was recognized as amazingly beautiful by those who knew her. She loved to help people look and feel their best - she had dreams of owning a business on the beach that would offer both. She was also a part-time poet and philosopher who spent many hours, especially with her sister Shannon, talking about what she thought it meant to lead a positive life - she thought hard about how she could help those in her life who had problems. Katie would do anything, day or night, to help out a friend in need and always worked to make those around her smile - one of her favorite mottoes was "live, love, and laugh." Katie was vivacious and she could throw a football like a quarterback. She loved to compete with her male friends at anything, and was proud to be both Irish and a renowned poker player. She treasured her relationship with family, especially her mother, who gave her the freedom to follow her own path. She always knew her mom would be there for her no matter what. Katie is survived by her mother, Janet Houlihan of Charlton, N.Y.; her father, John Houlihan of Schenectady; her sister, Shannon Maureen Houlihan and brother-in-law John Warren of Chestertown, N.Y.; her sister, Kelly Marie Leone and brother-in-law Larry Leone of Charlton; her nephew, Samuel Dominick and new niece, Clara Josephine Leone; her grandmother, Lucille Houlihan of Glenville, N.Y.; her boyfriend, Eric Cahill of St. Petersburg, Fla.; her dearest friends, Megan Reidy of Las Vegas, Nev. and Lori Duffy of St. Petersburg; and her many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins. Friends and family are invited to join the family for their final goodbyes on Friday from 4-7 p.m. at DeMarco Stone Funeral Home, 1605 Helderberg Ave., Rotterdam. A service will follow at 7 p.m. Honoring her generous spirit, most of Katie's belongings have been donated to the women's shelter in St. Petersburg. Memorial donations may be made to the Schenectady Free Health Clinic, 600 Franklin St., Room 205, Schenectady, NY 12305 or the Disabled American Veterans, Lt. Vibert O. Fryer Chapter 88, 2639 Hamburg St., Schenectady, NY 12303.