Irene Catherine Sheehan Horsfall

Irene Catherine Sheehan Horsfall, proud daughter of San Francisco, died peacefully in her sleep on Jan 6 2021, in the city of her birth. Catherine was born on August 14, 1932 to Charles Ross Sheehan, (a quintessential “South of the Slot” boy,) and Dagmar Magnhild “Mary” Hansson Sheehan, (Resö, Sweden). She was preceded in death by her beloved son, William Horsfall, (Denmark), her Auntie Irene Sheehan, brothers, Charles Emmett Sheehan, Raymond Sheehan, and great nephew Skylar Sheehan.

She is survived by her devoted son, George Horsfall III, (SF), granddaughters Anne Magnhild Horsfall, Livia Lykke Horsfall (Denmark), nephews and nieces; John, Sharon Sheehan, (San Diego), Tom, Laura Sheehan, (Paris, France), David, Kristen Sheehan, (Vancouver), Rosemary Sheehan, Brian Blain, (Victoria), Jim Sheehan, (Vancouver). Cousins, Ulf, Anita Johansson, Maud Uggla, Mikael Sanne, (Gothenburg, Resö). Grand nieces and nephews: Sam, Hannah, Isabel, Adam, Mateo, Inès, Lou, Summer Sheehan and Sam, Jake Bradstock. Catherine was a graduate of Star of the Sea School, Presentation Academy 1950, City College 1952, University of California, Berkeley 1954 and SF State (MA). Catherine was passionate about her 42+ year teaching career, mainly devoted to primary education as a Reading Specialist. For a time she was also a District Administrator, taught a class at USF and taught prisoners at San Quentin Prison.

She witnessed first-hand, many historic San Francisco milestones; walking out on the Golden Gate Bridge with her dad before opening day, 1939 GGIE on Treasure Island, the opening day of the Bay Bridge and even christening a WWII

Liberty ship. Recently, the San Francisco Chronicle did an article about Catherine, “Life Inside a Painted Lady”, describing her experiences at her Alamo Square home over the last two decades. The article was perfectly entitled “Every day is an Adventure”, as she loved interacting with all the interesting and diverse people who landed on her doorstep every day. Catherine remained engaged with life until the moment she died. She will be remembered for her wit, her smile, her sparkling eyes, humor, intellect and inner strength. She loved travel, especially to Resö, Sweden- where her mother grew up. She took great joy in throwing big parties and always felt inclined to share whatever she had with others- offering her home for political gatherings, Broadway cast parties, and charity house tours.

Catherine never backed away from a fight and this stood her well as she battled her many health issues these last years. She also always knew when it was time to leave a party. She was equally graceful in her passing, being at great peace and clarity when she knew her time had finally come.

Catherine was truly a force of nature but gently handed over to God, her life well-lived.

There will be a Mass / Celebration of life, after the pandemic- with friends, music, stories and laughter.