Kathleen Cleary

Kathleen (Reilly) Cleary On February 26th, surrounded by her family, of complications following a sudden cardiac arrest. Born in San Francisco on August 12, 1920 of Irish parents, the late Dr William Reilly, President of the San Francisco Medical Society, and Anna T. Reilly, Kathleen graduated from Saint Agnes Grammar School, Saint Rose Academy, and the University of California at Berkeley. Kathleen was an especially loyal supporter of St Rose Academy having served as Student Body President and later as President of its Alumnae Association. Kay married the late Alfred J. Cleary, son of San Francisco's first "Chief Administrative Officer", in 1943 and together they raised four children Al, Mark, Anne (Kerns), and Joe. Their daughter, Anne, passed away tragically young in 1985 and "Granny" then took responsibility for raising another generation, her grandchildren, Michael, Tim, and Kara Kerns, along with helping son Al raise his son, John, when Al's wife passed away. Kathleen is survived by her three sons Al, Mark (Karen), and Joe; her sister, Anne Duffy and brother, William H Reilly; her grandchildren John Cleary, Michael, Tim, and Kara Kerns, and Sean Cleary, and son-in-law Mike Kerns. She will be missed by great-grandchildren Jenna Anne, and Kennady, as well as nieces, nephews, and a large extended family of friends. Kay, who always had a dedication to helping others, was a founding member of the Auxiliary of the Little Sisters of the Poor, served on the Board of the Western Province of the Marianist Order, and was honored, along with her husband, Al, with the "Service to Youth" Award of the Catholic Youth Organization. Over her lifetime Kay's greatest devotion was to her family. Her definition of family included her friends, all friends of her children, and grandchildren, and employees of the family businesses. She was affectionately known as "Granny" to several generations of friends who will miss her patient ear, thoughtful advice, gentle smile, integrity, and courageous strength of character. A Vigil Service will be held at St Denis Catholic Church, 2250 Avy Avenue, Menlo Park, Ca 94025 at 7:00pm on Friday, February 29, 2008 and a Mass of Resurrection also at St Denis on Saturday, March 1st, at 10:30 a.m. CRIPPEN & FLYNN WOODSIDE CHAPEL (650) 369-4103.