Kathleen Callan Catenacci 1948-2025
SOUTH PASADENA, Calif. — Kathleen Callan Catenacci passed away unexpectedly, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, after a lengthy hospitalization. Kathleen was very brave and resilient, having previously successfully battled Stage IV breast cancer and a benign brain tumor.
Born in Youngstown, Kathleen was a talented, versatile and creative performer, writer and television producer. She started out performing as a vocalist in a folk rock band locally and then in New York’s Greenwich Village in the 1970s. Kathleen then produced children’s and teen-oriented TV programs with the Diocese of Youngstown for local broadcast. She was honored with three Gabriel Awards as well as a Cleveland Emmy Award in the PSA category.
In 1979, Kathleen handled radio and television publicity for Pope John Paul II’s historic visit to Chicago for the Archdiocese of Chicago. She was later named director of broadcasting for the Catholic Television Network of Chicago (CTN/C), managing radio and television programs produced at and airing on Chicago broadcast stations.
Kathleen moved to Los Angeles, where she wrote and produced television programs for L.A. broadcast, national cable and nonprofit organizations. She wrote and produced a children’s program on KCBS-TV that received a Los Angeles Emmy Award and a “Service to Children Television Award” from the National Association of Broadcasters.
Kathleen was particularly proud of two programs she wrote and produced for A&E’s “Biography” series: one on impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh and another on iconic cartoon character Betty Boop.
Kathleen was a devoted mother to her daughter, Mary McKay Catenacci, serving for many years as a room mother and Girl Scout troop leader / volunteer.
Kathleen is survived by her husband of 41 years, Tony Catenacci; and their daughter, Mary; as well as three brothers, Gene Callan (Cheryl), Kevin Callan (Pamm) and Dion Callan; and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her dear parents, Eugene and Juanita Callan; and her beloved sister, Patricia Rowland (Dan).
Kathleen loved her family very much and was proud of her Irish-Scottish heritage.
Through it all, Kathleen never lost her love of watching old movies or her sense of humor. She was smart, vivacious, altruistic and compassionate, and she will be missed terribly.
A funeral Mass will be held in Illinois later this year.
(special notice)