Obituary of Kathleen Healy

Born August 26, 1926 the twelfth child of thirteen to Katie Dooher and Daniel Sweeney of Enabeg, Crossmolina, Co. Mayo, Ireland.  She was raised on a self-sufficient organic family farm, with no electricity or indoor plumbing.  At age two her mother died from complications of childbirth, and she was raised by her father and older siblings.  She attended Richmond National School (a small one room schoolhouse.) Her father kept the children together on the farm, and each child had cores. She was responsible for churning the butter, baking bread, and raising chickens to sell eggs in the town. The farm provided food to make the family self-sustainable, even in the most difficult times of WW2.  The only products externally purchased was sugar and tea.   With her savings and the help of her father, she immigrated to the United States.

At the age 21 on November 22, 1947 she flew on Pan Am flight 88836 from Shannon Ireland to Gander, Newfoundland with connection to JFK, New York.  Just in time to enjoy her first Thanksgiving and the parade in NYC. One year later she made a declaration of intent for citizenship of the United States.  In March 1954, she became a proud naturalized citizen.  She worked as a nanny on Madison Avenue and later as a waitress at Schrafft's.

She met her husband Christopher Healy at a dance on 86th Street.  In June 1959, they were married at Sacred Heart Chapel, Bronx, NY and later moved to Rye, NY in 1964 to raise their family.  Kathleen loved to cook and was famous for her Irish Soda Bread.  She was an avid gardener, created beautiful hand sewn and knitted garments, and enjoyed summer days on Rye Beach.  She was a kind generous loving mother to her son James C. Healy, daughters Mary Healy, Catherine Healy Sharbaugh, grandchildren, Katie and Christopher Sharbaugh.  She was a parishioner of Resurrection Church, a fundraiser for the Resurrection School’s Christmas Fair and the American Cancer Society and a member of the Catholic Daughters.  She was active in the Mouth Vernon Irish Association.  She retired to Vero Beach, Florida and Oughterard, Galway, Ireland.

The family will receive friends at the Graham Funeral Home in Rye, NY on Friday January 25, 2019 from 4:00-8:00 PM.  A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday January 26, 2019 at 11:00 AM at the Church of the Resurrection.  Interment to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Rye Brook, NY. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Hospice of Westchester, White Plains, NY or the American Cancer Society.