Claire O'Callaghan Johnson's Obituary
Claire Marie O’Callaghan was born Nov 9, 1930 in Memphis, Tennessee to Martin F. and Clarabealle O’Callaghan. She was predeceased by her mother and father as well as her husband, the late Warren I. Johnson. She was also predeceased by her brothers, Marty and Jack (Micki); sister, Dr. Phyllis O’Callaghan (Charles); and niece, Marta O’Callaghan. She is survived by her three children, Warren Johnson (Kay), Mark Johnson (Brenda) and Katie Taylor (Harold). In addition, she leaves seven grandchildren, Austin (Christy), Blake, Cole and Caroline Johnson (Warren and Kay), Erin and Darby Johnson (Mark and Brenda) and Rachel Tichy (Eric) (daughter of Katie Taylor and Theo Reide) and three great-grandchildren, Alex, Anna and Isabella Tichy. She also leaves her beloved brother-in-law, Charles Casazza; much loved nieces, Sharon O’Callaghan and Dr. Gayle O’Callaghan; and cousin, Mary Catherine Phelan of Port Leische, Ireland. She was valedictorian of Lausanne Collegiate in Memphis, class of 1948. She received the renowned French Scholar Award in Memphis to attend college in France. She graduated with a degree in teaching from the University of Memphis and taught elementary school and later tutored. She was a writer with stories published in numerous periodicals. She loved her cats as well as the finer things in life, especially if they had anything to do with her Irish heritage, but she felt her biggest accomplishment was being a wife and mother to her three children. She was always very interested in what other people were doing especially her children and grandchildren. She was a devout Catholic and communicant at Holy Spirit Catholic Church where she and her husband were founding members and started the church library. She was also very involved in the clothing and food pantry ministries. Ave Maria was her last residence where she was beautifully taken care of. In lieu of flowers the family requests prayers and donations to Ave Maria or the charity of your choice. A funeral mass will be celebrated Thursday morning, July 26 at 10:30 a.m. at Church of the Holy Spirit with visitation at 9:30 am. Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119 (901) 767-8930. “Celebrating Life… Behind the Stone Wall”.
What’s your fondest memory of Claire?
What’s a lesson you learned from Claire?
Share a story where Claire's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Claire you’ll never forget.
How did Claire make you smile?