Kathleen Dawn Callahan, 74, victoriously went to heaven on July 1, 2022, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Throughout her ordeal, she never lost her faith or her focus on her belief that it was God’s will and that she would be greeted with Jesus’ loving arms and guided to the ultimate banquet.
She was born in Dayton, Ohio to James and Arlene Ater. After moving to Memphis, she raised her children and worked as a dental assistant. For more than 25 years, she worked with her husband Dr. Bill Callahan and together they built a thriving practice, happily working side by side. Always a highly creative and energetic person, she became involved the Wednesday Night Supper program at her church, the Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit. She loved to cook and “experiment” with unfamiliar flavors and recipes. The result was a lot of very happily fed people. Her greatest reward was knowing that she had given everyone her best and seeing how they enjoyed it. She poured her talents into the Wednesday Night Supper program, fund raisers for the Haiti Medical Missions of Memphis, and Spirit Café. She showed her love for her family and friends through her incredible variety of culinary treats. Her cookies were legendary, and she shared them with family, the homeless and hungry students at the College of Dentistry. Affectionately known as “Amma” by her grandchildren, she loved deeply and prayed fervently every day for all her family and those who were in need. She made loyal friends who walked with her in the good times and the bad. She loved the scriptures, classes with Sister Cathy, and developed a strong devotion to Eucharistic adoration. Despite all her sufferings, she never took her eye off her goal, Christ.
She leaves her husband Bill Callahan and a host of friends to cherish her memories. She also leaves her sister Marilyn (Chris) Duff of Casstown, Ohio, as well as her daughters, Milissa Burns of Alexandria, Tn, and Danielle (Michael) Degnovivo of San Antonio, TX, and stepsons Bill (Jamie) Callahan of Morristown, NJ, and Bryan (Eden) Callahan of Brooklyn, NY. She leaves her grandchildren Dylan Holycross, Alyssa Burns, Zachary Bush, and Carly Callahan and several nieces and nephews whom she loved and enjoyed.
Visitation will on Friday July 15th at 10:00 AM at the Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit, 2300 Hickory Crest Drive. The funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, Kathleen requested that donations be made to the Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit, Birthright of Memphis, or Christian Brothers High School.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralPoplar.com for the Callahan family.
