- Date Of Birth: November 27, 1933
- Date Of Death: July 8, 2019
- State: Colorado
Catherine Christina Hannan was born on November 27, 1933 in Limerick City, Ireland. The daughter of Edward and Johanna (Cross) Hannan, she grew up on the family farm at Singland Cross near St. Patrick’s Well. Catherine attended St. Patrick’s National School and won a County Council merit scholarship to St. Mary’s Secondary School (now known as Ardscoil Mhuire) and graduated first in her class with an honors Leaving Certificate. For 13 years, from preschool through secondary school, she was never absent. Catherine (“Katha”) had a keen interest in Irish literature, language, dance and culture. She was a member of An Cumann Gaelach Muire and Halla Ida on Thomas Street where she earned a Gold Fainne for her fluency in the Gaelic language. Catherine attended the Dowsleys College where she studied office management.
Catherine sailed from Cobh, Co. Cork on the (second) Mauretania on June 27, 1954. Days after arriving in New York, she flew to Chicago and was warmly welcomed by her beloved Uncle Mike and Aunt Helen (Quinlan) Hannan. Catherine joined the AirLine Employees Association (ALEA), a labor union, and rose to the position of Administrator of the Law Department before retiring after 33 years. She was committed to the union movement and was proud to cast her first vote as a US citizen for President John F. Kennedy in 1960. Catherine married William Michael Hannan, her soulmate, at St Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. She enjoyed maintaining a beautiful and comfortable home for her family, and always enjoyed fashion and jewelry. She and her daughter, Maureen, celebrated their monthly “happy day club” outings as they explored downtown Chicago and lunched in the Walnut Room at Marshall Field’s. Catherine was loved and admired by her family and friends for her charitable nature and generosity to anyone in need, and to organizations that support poverty alleviation, homelessness reduction, the environment, Catholic missions and, as a dog lover, animal protection. During the 1970’s and 1980’s, she volunteered with the Medical Missionaries of Mary and helped organize their major fundraising events in Chicago. After retiring to Lake of the Woods, Bremen, IN with her beloved husband Bill, she pursued her interests in dendrology, gardening, and reading.
