Catherine O'Leary

It is with sadness and broken hearts that we share the death of Catherine (Kate) Rose O'Leary. Kate was born in Dearborn, MI on November 21, 1958. She was the fifth of seven children born to Barbara and Dennis O'Leary.
Kate was a voracious learner. She graduated from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor with a degree in English and later attended Carnegie Mellon. Kate was a valued co-worker by her colleagues in publishing for her clear communications and creative problem solving, contributing her skills as a technical writer and designer. She applied and shared these skills throughout her life, helping friends, family members and causes to create decent resumes, edit tortured essays, and write powerful proposals.
Her vision and striving for a more just and kind world started young and remained strong throughout her life. For Kate the personal and the political were never far apart. Her beliefs and commitments came from the heart and were usually right on her sleeve or on her bumper. Kate's friendships were varied and eclectic. She appreciated people's uniqueness, and was deeply loyal if sometimes inconstant.
Kate became interested in photography and kept a trove of black and white photos of scenes and people in and around the Detroit area. She possessed a profound love of language and her writing skills contributed to her activism and compassion around social justice issues. Dedicated to her beloved nephews and her grand nieces and nephews, she delighted in gifting them with carefully chosen treasures. She loved music, especially live music, across many genres. Her many friends remember her for her undaunting spirit and forthrightness. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors.
Kate brought precise aesthetic sense and breezy talent to many creative pursuits throughout her life. From ceramics in high school to photography and writing in college (and beyond) to music and typography, Kate cared about style and substance and the ways we all need and deserve beauty and art and expression to make lives with meaning. RIP Katie. May you find peace.
Kate passed away on March 22, 2025 at the age of 66. She is predeceased by her sister Mary O'Leary Ahmed and brother Linus O'Leary. She is remembered with love by her siblings Frances Tyrrell, Peter O'Leary, Paul O'Leary and Sarah O'Leary, as well as friends and neighbors. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to NAMI of Michigan. https://namimi.org/
A gathering of remembrance will be held on Thursday, March 27, at 2:00 PM, 325 Ninth St., Royal Oak MI, 48067.
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