Bridie Callinan

All who knew Bridie will remember a woman of strong faith whose steady warmth made others feel at ease. She had a true gift for welcoming everyone and, together with her husband, Bob, opened their home to one and all. As they raised their four children, their yard was the gathering place for the neighborhood kids to play baseball, football, basketball, running races as well as birthday celebrations. Every child felt loved and cherished.

This tradition continued even as they became empty nesters. Their home was a gathering place for countless, get-togethers, and holiday parties for family and friends. Bridie and Bob particularly loved to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day. She loved to cook, and to know her, was to be fed by her.

Bridie’s sense of humor was another quality everyone loved. She could see the funny side of life and had a wonderful ability to bring laughter into the room. Her smile was beautiful and her laughter contagious. She loved music, singing, dancing, and all the simple pleasures that made life joyful.

Bridie was predeceased by her beloved husband of 60 years, Robert Matthew Callinan. She is survived by her sons Robert Callinan (Shelby) and Timothy Callinan; daughters, Maureen Welsh (Brien) and Kathleen Flannery; grandchildren Conor (Clare) and Michael (Haley) Welsh, Clayton, Taylor, and Mary Bridget Flannery, and Grace and Helen Callinan; and great-grandchildren CeCe and Kiera Welsh.

A funeral mass will be held 12:00 pm on Friday, October 2, 2026 at Saint Paul Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Craven County Hospice.

Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Callinan family.