Kathleen M. Brennan

Kathleen (Kathy) Brennan, 83, of Long Beach, Indiana, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, in her home surrounded by her children.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 1010 Moore Road, Long Beach, Indiana. Private burial will take place at a later date at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Michigan City, Indiana. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, at the Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Washington Street, Michigan City, Indiana.

She was born June 28, 1942, in Michigan City, Indiana, to the late William N. and Charlotte Mary (Rogers) Kenefick. On July 10, 1965, in Michigan City, Indiana, she married Michael Brennan, who preceded in death on Feb. 12, 2023.

Surviving are two daughters, Colleen (Robert Miltenberger) Brennan of Chicago, Illinois, and Kerry (Andrew) Ward of Western Springs, Illinois; son, John (Kathleen) Brennan of Grosse Pointe, Michigan; seven grandchildren, Michael Miltenberger, James Miltenberger, Riley Brennan, Joseph Brennan, Molly Ward, Charlie Ward and Katie Ward; and her brother, John (Kathy) Kenefick of Duneland Beach, Indiana; niece, Elizabeth Kenefick; nephew, William (Amanda) Kenefick; and great-nieces and -nephew, Charlotte, Greta and Leo.

Kathy spent much of her life dedicated to making life better for others. She received her bachelor's degree from Marquette University in 1964, then worked in Gary, Indiana, as a social worker within Sargent Shriver's War on Poverty initiative. After starting her family and settling in Long Beach, Kathy volunteered with a number of organizations, including Service League, the Social and Learning Institute, and Notre Dame Parish.

While her children were in school, Kathy earned her master's degree in psychology from Indiana University then worked as a guidance counselor at Marquette High School. Later, she volunteered and served on the boards of the Lubezink Center for the Arts, Samaritan Counseling Center, Michigan City Education Foundation, the Boys & Girls Club of La Porte County, and the Notre Dame Foundation. She was a member of the Tri Kappa and P.E.O. Sisterhood organizations.

With her husband, Michael, she was a generous philanthropist supporting the Unity Foundation, the University of Notre Dame and countless local charities and individuals throughout her community.

With her good friend and business partner, Sharon Raab, she opened one of the initial Chico's franchises in the Midwest at the Works in Lighthouse Place, which allowed her the opportunity to celebrate her love of fashion, design and shopping.

Kathy loved attending Notre Dame football games, throwing legendary parties and tailgates, giving gifts, baking Christmas cookies and brownies, dining out, watching sunsets, listening to great jokes, drinking from the fancy glasses, sharing funny stories, shopping for anything, taking dips in the lake, traveling, playing basketball with her grandchildren, building drip sand castles, and eating extra, extra thick Diary Queen milkshakes and deep slices of carrot cake.

Most of all, Kathy loved her family and friends, cherishing time spent with them wherever and whenever she was able. The vast number of friends she assembled over the years was a testament to her endless curiosity, loving nature and ability to make everyone feel like they were her favorite. From the TTTs to the BBC, Long Beach Country Club golf leagues to Sinai Temple Follies, bridge club to Long Beach Garden Club, Marquette University to Barefoot Beach, Kathy spread her love far and wide.

The Brennan Family is especially grateful for the caregivers who made it possible for Kathy to enjoy the last few years of her life at home, including Beth McCoy, Gloria Hardaway, Nadia Nabhan, Deb Nabhan, Deb Armstrong and Lori Dombkowski.

Contributions may be made to the Brennan Family Fund within the Unity Foundation of La Porte County or directly to the charities listed above.

To sign a guestbook and leave condolences online, visit our website at www.otthaverstock.com.