Patricia Callahan

Patricia Louise Callahan Age 49, died peacefully at home in Oakland among family members on December 2, 2010, after a short but valiant bout with brain cancer. Trisha is survived by her devoted parents, Jim and Margaret Callahan, and her loving siblings Claire, Kathleen, James, John, Michael, Mary Ellen and Matthew. She is also survived by brothers-in-law Bob Goodman and Andreas Neyer, sisters-in-law Nancy Callahan and Rhys Cheung, nieces Rebekah Callahan Goodman, Sarah Callahan Stanley and Aoibheann Cheung Callahan, nephews Christoph Neyer and Joey Callahan, uncle Tom Bendorf and aunt Patricia Carroll, cousins Heidi Bendorf and Sally MacLaughlin and 18 other first cousins. She also leaves many, many friends behind. Her devoted companion Bob the dog preceded her in death in August. She grew up in Piedmont and attended Piedmont High School. Her college degrees included BA in German from SF State University, MA in German Linguistics from University of Michigan, and MA in Spiritual Psychology from University of Santa Monica. Before her illness she had nearly completed a master's degree in Music Education at Holy Names University and CSU East Bay. During her lifetime Trisha visited many points around the globe. She spent time living in Sweden, in England and in Austin, Texas. She worked as a translator and textbook writer, a business analyst, and a massage therapist, and in recent years worked in the family business as a technician at Callahan Piano Service in Alameda, where she was featured in the documentary film "Miracle in a Box". An accomplished musician, she performed throughout her life with numerous choral groups, including the Oakland Youth Chorus, The California Bach Society, Coro Hispano, San Francisco Bay Area Chamber Choir and the Malmo Kammer Kor. She also played the oboe and the clarinet. Trisha was a proficient unicyclist and juggler, a skilled improviser, and an unforgettable character. A vast debt of gratitude is owed to John and Nancy Callahan, with whom Trisha lived during the final months of her life. Their patient, selfless care and devotion made it possible for her to experience many moments of joy and laughter in her final months. Good-bye, Trisha. To know you was to love you. A musical celebration of Trisha's life is planned for January 29. For information please e-mail goodman156@comcast.net. Donations in Trisha's memory may be made to the Musella Foundation for Brain Tumor Research, 1100 Peninsula Blvd, Hewlett, NY 11557.