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Barbara Callahan Obituary
She knew her material and didn't hesitate to make a correction when reading the news script before appearing on the air, former colleagues said.
Callahan, who had worked as a news anchor at several Tampa area television stations, was a perfectionist with class, her broadcast colleagues said.
"Barbara was always so nice, so professional," said News Channel 8 reporter Jeff Patterson, who worked with Callahan in the 1980s. "She cared so much for journalism. She was a capital "J" type of journalist."
Callahan died last month at the age of 62 from complications of salivary gland cancer.
In the 1980s, she worked alongside Bill Ratliff at News Channel 8.
"They were a dominant team," Patterson said.
Colleagues described her as meticulous and driven.
Before joining News Channel 8, she worked locally at WTOG Channel 44 as the anchor for PM Magazine and later as news anchor.
"She was a great journalist,'' said Bruce Copeland, a former producer with WTOG Channel 44. "One of the top journalists I ever worked with."
Callahan also had a successful broadcast career in St. Louis. Before retiring, she had worked as a news anchor, producer, assignment editor and assistant news director.
Callahan, who lived in St. Petersburg, was active outside the broadcast arena.
She co-founded the Greater Tampa Bay Breast Screening Project, which helped provide low-cost mammograms. She was a champion of breast-cancer awareness and a "life member" of the board of directors of the American Cancer Society of Pinellas County.
Her son, Daniel J. Callahan Jr., said his mother wanted privacy after living much of her life in the public eye in television news.
"She was a wonderful mother and an exceptional person," Daniel J. Callahan Jr. said. "She was loved and will be greatly missed."
She is survived by her husband, Daniel J. Callahan; her son, Daniel J. Callahan Jr.; and several brothers and sisters.
Memories and Condolences
for Barbara Callahan
57 Entries
Erik A
February 25, 2020
Our thoughts and prayers are with you as just today I learned of your passing. A beautiful and professional TV Journalist we welcomed you into our home nightly to give us the news. You are missed and we will see you on the other side! God Bless
Earlwayne Stumpf
August 20, 2013
As a former colleague of Barbara's during her early new experiences at then KMOX-TV in St Louis, I am deeply saddened to learn of Barbara's passing. Even in the first days of her on-air education, it was clear she had news 'star' qualities. I feel as if I have lost a sister. Rest in peace, lovely lady. You did all who knew you proud.
Samantha
November 17, 2012
Rest in Peace. Thank you for using your gift from God and sharing it with us all.
Jonna Smith
November 12, 2012
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Barbara was a beautiful person with a smile that always warmed the heart and she will be miss!
cheryll chance
November 3, 2012
I was born and raised in Tampa moved to Ky in 2003 loved watching her on tv and remembed her at the gasparilla parades. such a nice lady.my condolances to her family
Milly Miller
November 2, 2012
I lived in Tampa for over 30 years and watched a lot of news folks come and go.
Mrs Callahan was A Class Act, Always a vision of dignity and grace.
October 26, 2012
As Tampa remains my home in my heart,
and I grew up there, I watched Barbara
all the time on the news. Her warmth and personality were wonderful. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. Kathleen K. Castleberry
John Cooney
October 19, 2012
I grew up in St. Pete, and fondly remember watchin the local news with her. So sorry to hear of her passing.
Linda Scott
October 4, 2012
Dearest Dan and Danny, I loved your mother so much. I wad her replacement when she was pregnant and then again when she moved out of PM Magazine into news. There are no words to express my shock and grief. You and her brothers are in my prayers. She was always so kind and loving to me and I admired her so much. Sorry for your loss is not enough.....but more, grateful that she was a part of my life and one of the greatest women influences ever.
All of you are in my prayers...I am so very very sorry.
Tanya Jones
October 2, 2012
I remember watching her on the news and PM Magazine. She was always so beautiful. May she RIP. Prayers go her family.
Sally Priest
October 1, 2012
I first saw Barbara on PM Magazine - I thought she was adorable. I also remember when she was pregnant - so lovely. It seemed the older she got, the more beautiful she got. I always thought of her with fondness. I was shocked & saddened to hear of her passing. My thoughts & prayers go out to her beloved family.
D Solomon
October 1, 2012
I just read about Barbara;s passing.Our prayers go out to her family
patricia thomas
September 29, 2012
Barbara was such a beautiful person inside and out,how lucky her family was to have her
NELSON LIGORI
September 26, 2012
TO A PETEY WOMAN WHO I WATCH ON T V ALL OF THE TIME WE WILL POLAY FOR HER FROM THE LIGORI FAMILY ATT.@ LAW
Rohini Rustogi
September 23, 2012
I am saddened to hear about her death. May you rest in peace.
September 22, 2012
To the Family and close friends of Barbara I always enjoyed her cheeriness her great style.She will be missed by those of us who watched her . Louisa Leto
Karen Vega
September 10, 2012
We are so saddened to hear of the loss of such a wonderful & beautiful lady. Our heartfelt condolences to all the family & friends for your loss. Thoughts & prayers are with you all. May she rest in peace.
God Bless,
J. Michael & Karen Vega and Family
Linda Edwards
September 8, 2012
May your beloved Rest In Peace.
August 30, 2012
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Ruby Smith
August 30, 2012
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Barbara's family during your time of sorrow. May God's comfort be with you all.
R. Dennis
August 27, 2012
I just read about Barbara Callahan's passing. I am so sorry to her family for their loss! I used to watch her on Channel 8 with Bill Ratliff and when she left to spend time with her family, I applauded her for doing so! My prayers are with you all! God Bless!
Star
August 23, 2012
Just learned of your passing Barbara. You are up there will Bill and looking down on us all. Thank you for so many wonderful broadcast. You were so brave to return to TV and I admire you for your courage. Gods speed and my condolences to your family and friends. Thanks for the Memories! God bless you.
GRANT GOHEEN
August 22, 2012
...WE ARE SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS THE GOHEEN FAMILY
Denise Brady
August 21, 2012
I am so sorry for the loss of such a wonderful lady. I enjoyed watching her on the news with her cast of people she worked with over the years. My prayers are with her family...
Peter Czukor
August 20, 2012
Forty-five years since we graduated from High School together do not dim the memory of one of the smartest and most capable girls I ever knew.
My thoughts are with her sisters and other family at this time and we share in your loss.
Peg Coleman
August 19, 2012
So sorry to hear of her passing. We so enjoyed her while she was broadcast in the Tampa Bay area. Our sincerest condolances to her family & may God be with you all during this time.
August 18, 2012
Barbara was a special lady...always a professional--an anchor and reporter who cared about journalism. Barbara was kind and gracious to all who worked with her. It is an honor and privilege to have worked with her in television news. She will be missed.
Our thoughts and prayers for her family.
Carol Lim
Former Associate Producer, 10 p.m. News, WTOG-TV, when newscast first launched.
Consuelo Coronado
August 17, 2012
Time passes by so fast, I remember when I first saw her in WTOG TV 44 I thought she was a beautiful lady, I watch her through out the years. My deepest sympathy to her family and friends.
Susan Skoufatos
August 16, 2012
I grew watching Barbara on WTOG and WFLA. She was an objective person with a down to Earth personality. My condolences to her family.
Jose Pedreira
August 16, 2012
I have only one word to describe Barbara - Awesome! Thanks for showing me what it is to be a true professional. May you rest in God's peace.
Lisa
August 16, 2012
I'm very sorry for your loss. May you find these words comforting during your time of distress: Psalms 55:22.
Mary Clark
August 16, 2012
I am blessed to have known such a gracious lady. My heart is truly saddened by this news.
billie may
August 16, 2012
you will be missed by so many people.And you touched the hearts of thousands. god bless to you and your family.
Peter @ Sandy P
August 15, 2012
Barbara was a very special person and a joy to know. Sorry we never got to know her better .God bless her and her family....
Karen Craven
August 15, 2012
Loved to hear her perspective on the news. She was good at her job. Excellence, trustworthy, and one who stood by her convictions. I was just thinking of her the other day. She truly loved her family.
Louise Poole
August 15, 2012
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
rodney
August 15, 2012
the other side is gaining a true hearted person!God speed my friend,you are free.
Tanya Stevens
August 15, 2012
May God comfort you and your family at this time of need. Mrs. Barbara was very special to everyone she came across. I grew up watching her. she will be greatly missed.
Joy Ramsey
August 15, 2012
Will always be in everybodies hearts, u left us with great memories.
Bob Sink
August 15, 2012
Barbara, the classiest act to ever come through WTOG. Always a joy to be around and always a smile. It was a real pleasure to have worked with her during PM Magazine and the 10 O'Clock News that came later. The thoughts of many at WTOG are with you and your family at this time of sorrow.
August 15, 2012
I WORKED WITH BARBARA CALLAHAN AT NEWSWATCH 8. WHEN SHE LEFT, I INSISTED THAT SHE GIVE ME AN AUTOGRAPHED PICTURE OF HER AS I HAVE NEVER WORKED WITH SUCH A TRUE PROFESSIONAL AS SHE. WHEN BARBARA LEFT CHANNEL 8 THEY LOST THE BEST PROFESSIONAL THEY HAD AND SHE HAS NEVER BEEN REPLACED TO THIS DAY. GOD BLESS HER.
Glen Thrall
August 15, 2012
I'm sorry to hear of the passing of Mrs. Callahan, I grew up watching her on the news,she was a very proffesional person. With a very sweet personality. RIP Barbara - God Bless you and your family.
Melene Van Dyke McMannen
August 14, 2012
Dear Family,
Thank you for sharing Barbara with your viewing family of Tampa and surroundings. I feel as tho we have lost a friend. May God send to you His comforter and His peace.
Prayerfully,
patrick Emory
August 14, 2012
Barbara and i were best of friends for years. we met at KMOX TV in st. louis in the early 70's. She was very smart, very professional and a joy to work with. I'll miss her. my very best to Dan and family. We worked together at WTOG here in st. Petersburg. She was very thoughtful when my wife passed away in Jan of this year. their meeting was brief several years ago. but she knew and liked Brigitte. Now I miss both of them...
Cindy L Fleenor
August 14, 2012
Always enjoyed listening to Barbara reporting the local news. She was an exceptional woman & journalist. May God give you comfort & peace during this difficult time.
Randy Scott
August 14, 2012
Words can not describe how much I respected Barbara who was a dear friend and co-worker of mine at WTOG-TV during the 80's. A very sad day for all of us.
Peggy
August 14, 2012
You were the constant professional. The Tampa Bay area had a wonderful journalist in you. May God welcome you home. May His blessings console your family. Say hello to Bill Ratiff.
Debbie Owen
August 14, 2012
Barbara was definitely an icon here in the Tampa Bay area and I am shocked and saddened by her death. My prayers are with her family.
SABRINA BASS
August 14, 2012
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
Kelly D
August 14, 2012
With deepest sympathy!! Grew up watching her on Channel 8. You have left a spot no one can replace but I'm sure your reports now will be grand on the streets of Heaven. May God grant your family peace & strength during this difficult time. You suffer no longer and they have a beautiful angel watching over them. Blessings to all!
Steven Tolomeo
August 14, 2012
I never work with someone more professional as Barbara. You will be missed.
Valerie Fields
August 14, 2012
Loved your time on Broadcast.
Candi Clark
August 14, 2012
I'm also very sorry to hear aboout the passing on Mrs. Callahan,never got to meet her in person,but her personality when she was on the news showed pretty much that shat was a very sweet person who will sorely be missed Rest In Peace
ruth cothron
August 14, 2012
I am so sorry to hear this, she was an awesome personality and appeared to be a very good person in life.
RIP
Lois Bumpus
August 14, 2012
Goodbye Barbara.
With love from Lois
Ed Turnipseed
August 14, 2012
Darn, Barbara. I am so sorry to hear about your passing. I have watched you on the news for so mmany years and was so glad I was able to meet you a few times in person.
RIP beautiful lady. God Bless you and your family.
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