Kathleen McGrath (1927-2012)

Kathleen McGrath (nee Brennan), born 1927 in Wexford, Ireland, died on July 5th at home peacefully surrounded by her loving family and friends. She is survived by her beloved daughter Catherine and son-in-law and a large extended family.

A longtime parishioner of St. Paul the Apostle Church in Manhattan, Kathleen was one of the first volunteers of Momentum, in the early days of the AIDS epidemic, ministering to those living with AIDS and educating the community on the illness. She devoted herself to the poor and the homeless with dedication and compassion in her work coordinating the weekly soup kitchen, in her tireless volunteering at the Homeless Banquet and by devoting herself to many, many nights in the homeless shelter.

A daily participant at Mass, she served for many years as a Eucharistic Minister and as a sponsor in the parish’s RCIA program. She was well-known for her commitment to the preaching ministry of Fr. Jack Collins, CSP, collating his materials for the “next trip on the road.” She also was one of the first members of the St. Paul the Apostle Senior Ministry, under the direction of Paul Canestro, which worked inter-generationally with the Youth Ministry.

Kathleen loved classical music, American history and all things Irish. She was well-read, never lacked a pointed opinion or a good story, and was a strong advocate of women’s rights.

Kathleen’s wake will be held at Barrett’s Funeral Home, 424 West 51st Street, NY, NY, on Saturday July 7 from 2 to 5 pm and 7 to 9 pm, with a Memorial Mass to follow at St. Paul the Apostle, at Ninth Avenue and 59th Street, on Thursday July 12 at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be private. Donations should be made to the Paulist Fathers, Very Rev. Michael McGarry, CSP, 86-11 Midland Parkway, Jamaica Estates, NY 11432. 

And she was the world's greatest mother-in-law.  Rest in peace, my dear Kathleen.  Love you lots.