Mary Kathleen Sweeney
July 21,1924-March 3,2014
Resident of Danville
Kathleen was born to Daniel and Mary O'Connor in Monessen, Pa, the eldest of five girls. She graduated in 1946 from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia with a degree in Fashion Design. Kathleen married Francis Sweeney, a physician in the Navy, March 11,1950 in Pensacola, Florida. As the spouse of a Navy officer, she lived most of her adult life near the ocean from Monterey to San Diego, to Jacksonville, NC and Bethesda, MD, finally settling in Lafayette in 1964. After the military, Kathy and Frank moved to their dream home in Danville in 1971, where they continued to live until 2012.
While her 2 children were growing up, Kathy stayed active with many groups, including AAUW, the Navy Officer's Wives Club and Newcomers Club. She also volunteered at the Terrace Tea Room in Walnut Creek, but she especially enjoyed her time spent enriching the lives of autistic children through art. Kathy was an avid bridge player, belonging to several leagues.
Kathy and Frank loved to travel, visiting Europe, Mexico, South America, Hawaii and other islands of the South Pacific. Her favorite locales closer to home were Monterey and Palm Springs. She maintained close, loving ties to her sisters and their families and was a frequent visitor to their homes in Maryland.
Kathy is survived by her loving husband Frank, her sister Kerry August and husband Richard, her daughter Melanie Young, her son Michael Sweeney, her grandson Aaron Young and his wife Julie, her three great-grandchildren, Madelyn, Mason and Maxwell and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Isidore Church 440 LaGonda Way, Danville, CA 94526 on Tuesday March 11, 2014 commencing at 10:30 AM. Interment will be private in Silver Spring, MD.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Contra Costa Times on Mar. 5, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Mary Sweeney

3 Entries

March 18, 2014

Aunt Kathy, for me always held my mind in a joyous place of youthful fascination. Perhaps it was her travels to exotic locations, word of which would reach us in the form of post cards, and packages filled with gifts, each inscribed with a personal note in her elegant hand. Perhaps it was her exuberance for life, and intoxicating laughter filling the room.

When she and Frank would come to town it was always an occasion to celebrate life, to embrace the warmth and generosity of their very souls. For me these are remarkable memories, a time of innocence unmarked by the ravages of modern life. Through a child's eye, Kathy was a gentile soul, comfortable with herself and her unique role as matriarch in a family of matriarchs. As an adult I had numerous occasions to speak with her, laugh with her, and to deepen my own love and appreciation for her wisdom and guidance. Nearly 23 years ago I had the opportunity to have coffee with Kathy on one of her trips to Maryland. It was just the two of us. It was a real blessing to be able to spend time with her. I was at a crossroads in my life. Kathy offered me a mother's heart. It was a gift to be loved for nothing more than just being a human being. It was not so much her specific advice and guidance that she offered it was the fact that she reminded me that as a child of God I am and always will be loved. That in spite of my own failures He would always forgive me and love me. Her embrace of me was just a glimpse of the embrace I pray she is now enjoying. Just a simple coffee, perhaps two hours of her time, and it changed the trajectory of my life. St. Catherine of Siena said: “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire”. She was who God meant for her to be.

How many souls she must have touched in such a life well lived. I pray for her and Uncle Frank. I am graced to have the pleasure of calling her Aunt Kathy. One of her inscription on a nature book she sent to me 35 years ago reads: “I thought of you, and your fascination with God's creation. I hope you enjoy it.” Simple, elegant, and a small window peering into her gracious, thoughtful and joyous soul. A beautiful daughter of God!

March 10, 2014

We were so sorry to hear of the loss of the love of your life. Remembering your great love story today and always.

emeritus employees past and present

March 5, 2014

Rip kathy, our sincerest condolences.

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 results