Plan for the Future
Kathleen Mulrooney was the heart of a large Irish family. One of nine children, she was born in Brooklyn, NY to immigrants, Patrick and Ann Mulrooney. The Catholic Church was always central to her life, not just because it was her family’s deep faith, but since her father was the sacristan of Holy Cross Church in Flatbush, her family lived on church property for the first three decades of her life – with the school roof serving as the kids’ backyard playground.
She relocated to Springfield, NJ in 1971 when her career at Crum & Forster Insurance Companies established a headquarters in Morristown. In her 38-year career, she was a trailblazer as a woman in the forefront of information technology operating positions. Working across multiple departments, Kathleen managed all the production jobs in the entire data processing environment through a tremendous period of growth through the 60s, 70s and 80s. Throughout this distinguished career, she established friendships that she maintained until her passing.
Beloved in her neighborhood and community, Kathleen lived a life of service. For more than 50 years, she was a communicant of St. Rose of Lima Church in Short Hills where she served in multiple capacities, including the role of Eucharistic Minister bringing Holy Communion to the infirmed and homebound, as a member of the Rosary Alter Society, and serving many parishioners in times of need. In addition, for many years, she was a volunteer at St. Augustine’s Soup Kitchen in Newark, NJ.
Without a doubt, Kathleen’s family meant everything to her. She created a home for her aging parents in Springfield and cared for them until their deaths. She was the aunt to 30 nieces and nephews, and many dozens of great-, and great-great-nieces and nephews, for whom she played the role of Pied Piper for everything fun from making up silly songs, marching with a kazoo, making her car “dance,” encouraging a second dessert, or marshalling an impromptu road trip.
She enthusiastically embraced her Irish heritage at every turn. Wherever she was, Irish music was playing. And was known for the best soda bread, hands down. Her sense of humor and quick wit ensured that one always left her company with a smile.
Her life ended, as it started, in the embrace of the church. In her final two years, she was a resident of McAuley Hall Health Care Center where she was welcomed by the community of the Sisters of Mercy in the vestibule of heaven.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be directed in Kathleen’s name to McAuley Hall Health Care Center. https://www.mcauleyhall.com/ways-to-give.html
