Eileen Virginia Wismer Callahan, 98, is in eternal peace with Our Lord after a short stay at Reynolds Collierville Hospice Home. From the Greatest Generation, she was born May 19, 1920 in Detroit of GM Plant Manager Royal Nelson and Ruby Robinson Wismer, and died October 11, 2018. Eileen is predeceased by her husband of 68 years, US Navy Lieutenant Albert Callahan, an FBI agent and City Attorney of Fenton and Holly, Michigan for decades. They met when she was asked to sing at a Baltimore New Year’s Eve party. Immediately after marriage, he was deployed to Italy and N. Africa to fight for “Freedom from Fear and Want, Freedom of Speech and Religion”. Her 7 brothers and sisters also predeceased her.
Eileen attended the University of Michigan School of Music. She became an accomplished portrait artist, and loved to create realistic watercolor and pastel paintings. She had 3 solo shows, and was the first artist invited to exhibit at the Morton Museum of Collierville History. She was accepted to the MGAL Annual Exhibit at age 96.
She loved Germantown Presbyterian Church, and was active with Presbyterian Women. She was a member of Suburban Garden Club. She was a founding member of Fenton Artist Guild with her sister Dorothy Williams, and was active in Fenton’s Bay View and Child Study Clubs and St. Cecilia Society before moving to Germantown at age 80.
She is survived by son Douglas Callahan of Fenton, daughter Diane (Randy Edens), grandsons Brennan Callahan of Ann Arbor, Taylor Callahan Blackwood and Christopher J. Blackwood of Scottsdale, and her beloved caretaker/friend, Tracy Riddle. She was devoted to family, including 30 nieces and nephews, and their offspring.
Known for her ever-present sweet disposition, she leaves a legacy of love and faith. Her motto was “I love everyone, and everyone loves me”.
Her memorial service will be held Saturday October 20 at noon at Germantown Presbyterian Church, with a reception to follow. Memorials may be made to the music fund at GermantownPres.org/giving/.
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