Kathleen “Kay” M. Hanrahan
Kay Hanrahan, 90, of Evergreen Park, Illinois, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on October 2, 2023. She was born Kathleen Mary Clohessy on September 14, 1933 in Chicago, Illinois. Kay was a first-generation Irish American who remained deeply connected to her Irish heritage throughout her life. As a young girl, she excelled at Irish step dancing and even taught the art form later as an adult. It was at a dance that she met her beloved husband, Tom, with whom she shared 62 1/2 years of marriage.
After raising her eight children, Kay worked for many years as the parish secretary at Queen of Martyrs in Evergreen Park. At the age of 50, Kay returned to school to pursue a lifelong dream of becoming a Registered Professional Nurse. She dedicated the early years of her nursing career to Mercy Hospital in Chicago, where she eventually became the Director of the Cardiac Care Unit. Kay’s time at Mercy Hospital not only allowed her to provide exceptional care to her patients but also to foster lasting friendships. Later in her career, Kay worked at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park where she focused on health screenings and education for staff and community members. Kay remained an active nurse until her retirement at age 86.
In addition to her passion for nursing, Kay was an avid animal lover. She took great pride in training a therapy dog named “Elle” for visitations to hospitals and pediatric facilities. Kay’s dedication to both her profession and her hobbies reflected her compassionate and caring nature.
Kay leaves behind a loving family. Her eight children: Peg, Eileen, Mike (Susan), Maureen (Joe), Patrick (Toni), Tom Jr, Terri, Jack (Deb), as well as her fourteen grandchildren: Tom, Maureen (Lydia), Colin, Kyle (Emily), Kelly, Andrew, Adam (Emily), Kellan (Georgia), Marek, Brendan (Megi), Kathleen, Jacquie, Lyndon, and Maddie (Micah); her sister Maureen (Jim) Connolly, and brother Jack (Judy) Clohessy; her many cherished nieces and nephews and her extended family and friends. Kay was preceded in death by her husband Tom, their infant son William, her parents Jack and Kit Clohessy, and her sister and brother-in-law, Patsy and John Glennon.
Kay will forever be remembered for her love of family, her deep faith, her generosity and her sharp sense of humor. She touched the lives of many and will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
A wake will be held from 4:00-9:00 PM on Sunday, October 8, 2023, at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, located at 4727 W 103rd St, Oak Lawn, IL 60453. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, October 9, 2023, at St. Gianna Parish, Queen of Martyrs Church, located at 3539 W 103rd St, Evergreen Park, Illinois beginning at 11:00am. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a charity close to Kay’s heart.
October 9, 2023 – 11:00am cst
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