Obituary of Catherine Callahan

Callahan, Kay, age 98 died on December 12, 2015 in her home at the Marlboro House in Ridgefield Park. Kay was born February 13, 1917 in New York City, the daughter of William Colbourne and Kate Owens. Kay worked in real estate for 20 years after which she obtained a broker’s license and in the 1960’s established her own very successful business in Ridgefield Park: “Kay Callahan Real Estate” in partnership with her daughter Mary Romme and good friend Kay Gray. In 1983 Kay retired to Daytona Beach, FL where she lived for 14 years. (She would often said, “the 70’s are your best years.”) Kay returned to Ridgefield Park when she was 80 years old to be closer to family and the community she loved and grew up in. Kay was well known and loved both Ridgefield Park and Daytona Beach because of her active participation in church and community activities. She was a den mother, girl scout leader and very active in St. Francis Mother’s Guild. She especially loved to celebrate the 4th of July and Halloween and was famous for her costumes when marched in town Holloween parades. In 1941 Kay married her devoted and adoring husband Ray Callahan of Ridgefield Park who sadly predeceased her in 1966. She is survived by 3 children: Cathie Pignatello of Caldwell, NJ, Mary Romme of Highland Lakes, NJ and Tom Callahan of Phoenix, AZ. In addition Kay had 4 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Funeral from Vorhees Ingwersen Funeral Home 59 Main St. Ridgefield Park on Thursday at 9am. A Funeral Mass will be offered at St. Francis RC Church, Ridgefield Park at 9:30am. Interment St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Hackensack. Visitation Wednesday 4-8pm. If desired donations may be made to Holy Name Hospice or Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation in her memory. Vorheesingwersen.com