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Kathryn Callahan Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Kathryn Callahan
Coffee & Canines on the screened porch
Marianne Callahan
August 7, 2019
Sisters
Marianne Callahan
August 7, 2019
Dancing days
Marianne Callahan
August 7, 2019
Kathy's home, sweet home
Marianne Callahan
August 7, 2019
Sisters
Marianne Callahan
August 7, 2019
Christmas finery
Marianne Callahan
August 7, 2019
St. Patrick's Day ready
Marianne Callahan
August 7, 2019
Kathy and Nora
Marianne Callahan
August 7, 2019
Attending one of Diane's seasonal teas
Marianne Callahan
August 7, 2019
203 North Lorel backyard
Marianne Callahan
August 7, 2019
Kathy's dolls are ready for school
Marianne Callahan
August 7, 2019
Callahan Christmas card circa 1956
Marianne Callahan
August 7, 2019
Marianne Callahan
August 7, 2019
Kathy and Dan
Marianne Callahan
August 7, 2019
Kathy, growing up in The Austin area of Chicago
Marianne Callahan
August 7, 2019
Kathryn Elizabeth Callahan: October 27, 1945 to July 6, 2019
Kathy, the second child of Kathryn (Beckerley) and John M. Callahan, Sr., grew up on the West Side of Chicago, in the Austin neighborhood, and attended St. Thomas Aquinas School (Class of 1959) and Siena High School (Class of 1963). Kathy joined the Sisters of Mercy convent, earning a degree in Psychology in 1967 from St. Xavier College on the southwest side of Chicago.
After leaving the convent, Kathy met Daniel O'Connor Jr., the love of her life, when they were co-workers on the 1970 census. Kathy and Dan married in July 1970, and welcomed their son, Daniel O'Connor III, in June 1971.
Kathy spent most of her work life in public service, and those lucky enough to have worked with Kathy enjoyed her high intellect and competence. Those traits were also amply demonstrated by her remarkable abilities in Jeopardy!
A party planner extraordinaire, Kathy gave attention to every detail of decor, from flowers to candles to favors to balloons. She hosted many family holidays. Easter included a yearly balloon launch, and Christmas Eve featured the glow of hundreds of candles. Celebrations were always an excuse to wear tiaras.
Kathy photographed every event, demonstrating the family motto: If there isn't a picture, it didn't happen.
Her talents extended to writing; she was a published author of The Crossword Quick List, a reference book for crossword puzzle solvers.
The Callahan O'Connor family has lived in their Berwyn home for nearly 50 years. For the Home Avenue annual block party, Kathy produced a display of every house on the block, with the history of the residents in those houses.
Kathy enjoyed numerous arts and crafts, including cake decorating, crocheting, needlework, and jewelry making. She sewed fabulous Halloween costumes. She was also a dog-lover, and their family always included one or more dogs, notably English bulldogs.
A remarkably generous soul, Kathy supported numerous charities over many, many years, including Misericordia, Project Heifer, and Bulldog Rescue, among others.
Kathy was fun-loving, and loved to share her talents with others. She lived life on her own terms, and will be deeply missed by her loving husband, her devoted son, surviving siblings Ginny, Diane, Marianne, and Robert, in-laws, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, as well as her neighbors and friends.
Louise Illian
August 4, 2019
I have often thought of Kathy over the years and always smiled remembering the time we shared. Kathy had a wonderful sense of humor and we shared lots of laughs. She was a very intelligent woman who loved her family very much. While we fell out of touch I won't forget her and the friendship we shared. My deepest sympathy to Dan, Dan Jr. and her family and friends. She will be missed.
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