The Life of Kathleen McCan

Kathleen “Kathy” Marie McCann was a loving and adored wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, friend and true gift to the world. She passed away peacefully at her home on December 28, 2023 at the age of 84.

She was the daughter of the late Thomas and Mary McMullin. Born January 18, 1939 in Orange, NJ, she grew up in Bala Cynwyd, PA, where she lived until moving to Raleigh, NC, in 1982. She graduated from Mater Misericordiae Academy (now Merion Mercy Academy) in Merion, PA in 1956. She then attended Immaculata College in Malvern, PA, and earned a degree at the Pierce School of Business Administration in 1958.

She married Thomas J. McCann on April 15, 1961 and remained his loving bride until her death.

This union was blessed with six children, in whose lives she will be forever cherished: Thomas McCann (Lisa) of Glenmoore, PA; Margaret Kelly (Tim) of Centreville, VA; Michael McCann (Mary) of Holly Springs, NC; Kathleen Tawney (Jack) of Winterville, NC; Kristin Cuomo (Chris) of Raleigh, NC; and Mariryan Starr (Brandon) of Apex, NC. She was also blessed with 21 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She had three loving siblings: her brother Thomas R. McMullin, of Savannah, GA; the late Anne Barilla of Narberth, PA; and the late Rian McMullin of Kaneohe, Hawaii.

She loved, counseled and served her family and community faithfully – always offering wisdom and understanding to anyone in need. She walked with many on their faith journey as an RCIA sponsor for 14 candidates. She was a joyful member of the altar guild and served weekly as a eucharistic minister. She loved to swim and play tennis, be with her grandchildren, and dance with her husband of 62 years, whenever the perfect song was played.

She will be remembered for her kindness to all, neighbors and strangers alike, and her ability to find joy in everything that life had to offer. Kathleen danced and sang her way through a life well-lived and will be eternally loved.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Raphael Catholic Church in Raleigh at 11:30a.m. on January 10, 2024, with a burial at Historic Oakwood Cemetery immediately following. The family will receive friends for a visitation in the church atrium one hour prior to the mass. Livestream of the Funeral Mass is available here: http://www.saintraphael.org/funeral-livestream

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dementia Alliance of NC.