Kathleen Foley, 73

Kathleen R. Foley, 73, of Oak Park, died on Oct. 27, 2016. Born on Jan. 4, 1943, she received her master’s degree from St. Xavier University and utilized her skills teaching at Northwestern and the UIC Schools of Nursing. But it was her last 15 years at Hines VA Hospital where she used her gifts best to aid her clients and their families as they struggled with dependency issues and PTSD, her efforts complimented by talented and caring colleagues as they helped these veterans overcome great difficulties and return to a healthy and productive life after trauma. 

Active in ecumenical and interreligious affairs, Kathleen was a member of the Jewish-Catholic Dialogue Group for many years, where she helped advance mutual understanding of religious and social issues. For her efforts, she was named a member of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem by the late Pope John Paul II. 

In the final years of her nursing career, she was named one of the VA’s “Women of the Year.” She was an active member of Sigma Theta Tau, an honor society for nursing, mentored many, and served as president of the Chicago chapter. 

Kathleen Foley is survived by her husband, Daniel James; her children, Daniel Jennings (Erin) and Claire Katharine (Peter) Hansen; her grandchildren, Connor Daniel, William Patrick and Paul William; her brother, James (Joyce); and 30 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Eleanor McCarthy; and her siblings, Robert and Rosemary McCarthy, William and Margaret McCarthy, and Marian McCarthy. 

Friends will gather at Oak Park’s St. Giles Catholic Church, 1045 Columbian Ave. on Friday, Nov. 4 from 4 till 6 p.m., followed by a Celebration of the Liturgy of the Passing to Eternal Life at 6 p.m. Come and join us, and be prepared to sing. 

In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates memorials to the following: the Catholic Theological Union at Chicago, 5401 S. Cornell, Chicago 60615; the Fenwick Scholarship Fund, 505 Washington Blvd., Oak Park 60302-4095; the St. Xavier Scholarship Fund, 3700 W. 103rd in Chicago 60655; the Jewish Federation of Metro Chicago, 30 S. Wells, Chicago 60606; and the Night Ministry, 4711 N. Ravenswood, Chicago 60640.