Kathleen Mulligan

Kathleen M. Mulligan, born May 13, 1919, peacefully passed away in her Jackson Heights, New York home on Sunday morning, March 29, 2020. Kathleen truly was a hundred years young.

Kathleen was born and raised in Brooklyn. She and indeed all her siblings excelled at academics. Kathleen and her three sisters were simultaneously enrolled as undergraduate students at what was then known as Saint Joseph’s College for Women. She received her B.A. in June 1940.

Kathleen served in the Red Cross during the Second World War with stations in both Europe and Asia. Following the defeat of the Nazis, Kathleen was actively involved in the enormous effort to repatriate displaced persons to their countries of origin.

Kathleen continued her education at New York University. She received her M.A. in June of 1952. Kathleen, affectionately known to her colleagues as, “Kaye”, taught History for thirty years at John Adams High School in Ozone Park, New York.

An insatiable student throughout her life, Kathleen began her doctoral studies in African History in the fall of 1965. She took a sabbatical from teaching to live among an African tribe in what were relatively primitive conditions to conduct basic research. Kathleen completed her research in London.

Kathleen was ultimately conferred her PhD from St. Johns’s University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in September 1974. Her doctoral dissertation was “The Political Activities of the London Missionary Society in Bechuanaland”. Kathleen retired from teaching in 1989.

Kathleen continued to live an active and purpose-driven life. She volunteered at Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. She loved to travel. She was involved in the New York Association of University Women. She was an avid reader, loved the arts, and enjoyed a keen sense of fashion and sharp wit. Kathleen was also a serious student of bridge who played competitively into her 90’s, quite often meeting friends for a game at St. Patrick’s and the 5th Avenue Presbyterian Church.

An amazing woman of refinement, class, and good taste, Kathleen could hold capable and informed conversation on seemingly any subject. Forever reserved and composed, Kathleen always remained dignified and respectful even as she might emphatically disagree with another’s point of view.

While never married, Kathleen brought a special kindness, thoughtfulness and generosity to each of her multiple generations of nieces and nephews who lovingly referred to her as “Aunt Kathleen”. This mutual affection remained a constant throughout her life and all her surviving relatives will miss her dearly.

Kathleen loved to entertain. Guests were always welcome. A woman of great faith Kathleen was furthermore active among her local St. Joan of Arc church community. Blessed with an able body and mind Kathleen continued to live alone with great independence and confidence until the final months of her life.

It was at this time that her beloved great-nephew, Jamie Seymour, voluntarily left his home outside Pittsburgh to move in with his Aunt Kathleen to tend to her every need and to comfort her in any way he might. Jamie was with Kathleen when she died, and his family is deeply indebted and grateful for it.

Kathleen’s extended family gathered this past May to celebrate Kathleen’s centennial birthday. One of the many gifts she received was an Apple IPad. Jamie is pleased to report that this gift proved to be a godsend as it allowed Kathleen to remain connected, entertained and informed to the very end.

Kathleen is preceded in death by her parents William and Catherine and her siblings Marion, Adele, Irene and William. May light perpetual shine upon them and may God be gracious unto them as they are once again reunited as a family in heaven. Peace be with all those who knew and cared for Kathleen.

Given the ongoing state of emergency in New York we are unable to schedule services at this time. An announcement will follow regarding the date and time of a memorial mass to be held in Kathleen’s honor at Saint Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church in Jackson Heights, New York.

Kathleen’s family respectfully requests that gifts in Kathleen’s honor and memory be directed to St. Joan of Arc Church, 82-00 35th Avenue, Jackson Heights, New York, 11372 (Attn: Pastor William Hoppe).