Catherine M. Leydon

Catharine M. Leydon (nee Kiely) was born in Philadelphia on December 31, 1926. Her father, Thomas J. Kiely, Sr. was a builder responsible for homes and churches built in the Olney section of Philadelphia near La Salle College. He was Builder of the Year in 1932, 1933 and 1934. Her mother, Kathryn V. (O'Loughlin) Kiely founded Kim Manufacturing in 1945. The company continues to be in operation. Motivated by the Lindbergh baby kidnapping, Catharine's parents sent her to Fontbonne Academy For Girls to board. She then attended Mount St Joseph Academy graduating in 1944. She remained an active alumna throughout her lifetime. She graduated from Chestnut Hill College in 1948 with degrees in Biology and English. She taught briefly at Chestnut Hill College after graduation. She also worked at Wyeth Laboratories in the 1950s. She married James P. Leydon (deceased) on August 21, 1954 at St Margaret's Parish Church in Narberth. She volunteered with the American Red Cross as a "Grey Lady" during the Korean War. Her uniform was donated to the Red Cross and was worn as a featured uniform during a Veterans Day fundraiser attended by General Stanley A. McChrystal US Army (Ret.) held at the Union League on November 11, 2011. After briefly living in Penn Wynne, the couple moved to Wynnewood where they resided for 25 years. Catharine was an avid golfer. The couple was a lifetime member of Overbrook Golf Club. Catharine had a hole-in-one at Overbrook in 1998. She also played St Andrew's in Scotland, and La Hinge and Ballybunion courses in Ireland. Catharine worked as a realtor during the late 1980's through 2000. She was a member of the Million Dollar Club for sales over one million dollars during those years. She was gracious lady. The word used to described her most of all is "lady." She raised two children, Lt. Colonel James P. Leydon, USAF (married to Teresa) currently employed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security in the Operations Division of the Response Directorate. He has three children Steven (Melanie), April (Tim), and Sean. Catharine also is survived by her daughter, Mary Kay Leydon. She works at Lincoln Financial Group and is actively involved in supporting a small, no-kill animal shelter in Frazer, PA. Relatives and friends were invited to her viewing Monday, April 15, 2013 8:30-9:50 AM at The Donohue Funeral Home, 366 W. Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, PA (610) 989-9600 and to her Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM at St. Norbert Church, 50 Leopard Road, Paoli, PA. Interment Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Chestnut Hill College, 9601 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118 or Mount Saint Joseph Academy, 120 W. Wissahickon Avenue, Flourtown, PA 19031 would be appreciated.