Kathleen Elizabeth Callahan

Kathleen "Kathy" Elizabeth Callahan was a beacon of warmth and love throughout her 76 years on this earth. On December 16, 2023, surrounded by her adoring husband and children in Bolivia, NC, Kathy bid us farewell, leaving behind a legacy woven with compassion and care.

Born on March 28, 1947, to Jane and Charles Donoghue, Kathy was a product of Springfield MA, her roots embedded in the community. She was a graduate of Cathedral High School and Springfield Technical Community College. Kathy's heart knew no bounds. Alongside her husband and partner Jim, they welcomed six foster sons into their home through the Downy Side agency, offering not just a roof over their heads but a wealth of love and support. Her journey was as diverse as her spirit. She embarked on a nursing career doubling as a school bus driver to stay close to her kids and serve the the Westfield community she loved so much. Kathy's commitment to both her studies and her children was unwavering, a testament to her dedication to serving others.

From her days on the med-surgical and oncology wards at Baystate Medical Center to her nursing role with Hawthorn Services, where she cared for the elders of Chicopee/Holyoke, Kathy's impact was felt deeply by those she touched. Kathy was passionate about providing the highest quality of care with a compassionate heart and radiant smile. She was a ray of sunshine during dark moments for so many.

Yet, beyond her professional accomplishments lay a vibrant woman. Kathy was an adventurer at heart, diving into swimming pools and running road races, all while clocking miles on her travel adventures around the world. She had a love of family card games—and was known to win a few dollars from unsuspecting guests!

But above all, Kathy cherished connections. Her joy lay in knowing people deeply, sharing their happiness and comforting them in their sorrows. She loved nothing more than inviting friends into her home, serving a meal made with love and spending an evening laughing, remembering and deepening the bonds of friendship. The true essence of Kathy’s life lay in fifty-five years of marriage to her husband Jim, raising her expanded family, and embracing the many wonderful friendships she made which she considered family. Her greatest pride was raising and doting on her eight grandchildren—each one a testament to her boundless love. She taught them each to swim, to cook, to be be curious, to live a life of purpose in the service of others. “Nana” believed she had a duty to send her grandchildren into the world with the smarts, the compassion and the humor to make a difference.

While she joins her parents, sister Susan, brother-in-law Don, brother-in-law Steve, and sister-in-law Martha, sons Jimmy, Bruce and John in the beyond; Kathy's spirit lives on in the hearts of her surviving siblings Patty Deshaies of East Longmeadow, Nancy Donovan and her husband Dennis of Hampden, James Donoghue of Springfield, Jane Simmons of East Longmeadow, Charles Donoghue, Jr. and his wife Donna of West Palm Beach, FL; and Kevin Donoghue and his wife Patty of Winston-Salem NC; children and their spouses Rob and Debbie of Gorham ME, Nancy and Kevin of Westfield MA, Brian and Lisa of Framingham MA, Gary of Lakeland, FL; her grandchildren (Caitlin, Meghan, Emma, Sydney, Jack, Connor, Shea and Ava), beloved pets Nini and Pepper, extended family, and countless friends.

Family and friends are welcome to gather at St. Peter's Church, 24 State Street in Westfield, MA, on December 23, 2023 at 11:00 am, we will bid Kathy a fond farewell. But her laughter, love, and unwavering spirit will continue to resonate within us, a gentle reminder of a life lived with love as its guiding principle. We love you Kathy, Mom, Nana—may your legacy of kindness endure through the ages.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Palmetto Creek, Bolivia, NC at a later time to be announced.