Irene Callahan, mother of Herald columnist, 80
Irene M. (Doyle) Callahan, 80, of Chelmsford, mother of longtime Herald sports columnist Gerry Callahan, who is now a host at WEEI, died peacefully May 15, after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease. She was surrounded by her family when she passed away at Lowell General Hospital.
For 58 years, she shared a love story with her husband, Gerald J. “Gerry” Callahan, until his death on Nov. 23, 2015.
Born in Jamaica Plain on July 5, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Maurice F. and Irene M. (Rodgers) Doyle.
Many would remember Irene for her longstanding presence in the main office at South Row School in Chelmsford. She adored children, especially those with special needs, and found her role in an elementary school fitting and dedicated 18 years of her life to the kids of South Row.
For more than 50 years, Irene was a faithful parishioner at St. Mary’s Church in Chelmsford where she taught CCD and served as a Eucharistic minister. She enjoyed playing golf and tennis and splitting a blueberry muffin at Dunkin Donuts with her best friend Gerry. But her greatest joy in life was time spent with her nine grandkids. She would drag her husband home early from Florida each winter, against his will, so they wouldn’t miss a single grandchild’s birthday party.
Irene was a true friend in every sense of the word and enjoyed nothing more than laughing hysterically with her close circle of lifelong pals. Her nickname was ‘I’, which was ironic for a woman known for her selflessness and compassion.
Irene is survived by two sons, Gerry Callahan, Jr. and his wife Tracy of Andover and Tim Callahan of Chelmsford; two daughters, Maureen Sullivan of Westford and Denise Callahan of North Andover; grandchildren, Heather, Kim and her husband Matt, Kyle and his fiancee Rachael, Brett, Tim, Shannon, Jackson, Lauren, and Erin; three great-grandchildren, Reese, David and Marley; three sistersin-law, Rita Doherty of Chelmsford, Jean Fleury of Carver and Vida Doyle of Wellesley; many nieces, nephews and friends. She was also the sister of the late Fred and Jack Doyle.