Kathleen Ellen Booth Clahan

1938 - 2025

Kathleen Clahan
12/29/1938 - 05/23/2025
Kathleen ("Kathie") Ellen Booth Clahan, 86, passed away peacefully at her beloved home, surrounded by family, on May 23, 2025.
Kathie was born on December 29, 1938, in The Dalles, Oregon, where her family had recently moved from Portland. She was an avid dancer throughout her youth, beginning with classical ballet training and later embracing the "jazzy" rhythms of the Rock Around the Clock era of the 1950s. She carried her love of dance with her to Oregon State University, and then into a pioneering career as a Pan American Airlines stewardess in 1961.
Her time with Pan Am as a "Stew" hardly felt like work-Kathie thrived on adventure, traveling the world from Lebanon to Lisbon, Singapore to Samoa, Vietnam to Karachi. During her six-year career, she called New York City, Los Angeles, and finally San Francisco home, where she met her husband and best friend, Eugene "Oney" Clahan. The two married and built a life together until Oney's passing six years ago.
Kathie and Oney raised their three children in Kentfield and the Ross Valley. Her adventurous spirit never waned, and the couple continued traveling the globe throughout their lives. She later pursued a second career in education at the California Academy of Sciences (CAS), where she led tours in the African, Earth Science, and Evolutionary Halls, as well as the Steinhart Aquarium. She became a roving ambassador for CAS, bringing her "Science Van" to schools across the Bay Area. Her enthusiasm was unmatched- often remembered as the most spirited teacher her students ever had.
Of all her accomplishments, the role Kathie treasured most was being a mother and grandmother. Nothing brought her greater joy than her family, and her love for them was endless and unwavering. She poured herself into her children and grandchildren-celebrating their milestones, supporting their dreams, and surrounding them with warmth and laughter. Even when she lost her ability to walk later in life, Kathie never lost her wonderful sense of humor, her positivity, or her radiant spirit. She was graceful, no matter the limitations, and that resilience became one of her greatest lessons to her family: regardless of the challenges life may bring, you can still find joy, keep your light, and let your spirit dance. Kathie's generosity of spirit could also be seen in her remarkable gift of connection, leaving all who spoke with her feeling seen, heard, and valued. Her beautiful smile would warm your heart at first glance. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, wife, sister, and friend-simply put, she was the best.
Kathie is survived by her brother, Bill of The Dalles; her three children, Kevin, Brian, and Eugenia, and their families; seven grandchildren; and her extended family and many dear friends.
A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, October 11, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Anselm's Church in Ross, followed by a celebration of her extraordinary life.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the ALS Association.