Danieleen Mary Callahan 73, passed away on August 29, 2022. Karen Elizabeth Callahan 76, passed away on January 21, 2023.
Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, Karen and Danni were the daughters of the late Daniel and Evelyn (Hill) Callahan. For 45 years, Karen worked at Baystate Medical Center as a loyal maternal child nurse in Wesson 2 and retired as a clinical nurse manager. Danni also worked at Baystate Medical Center as a dedicated unit secretary in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Devoted sisters, Karen and Danni would do everything with and for each other. Neither ever married, instead, they choose to unselfishly shower their friends and family (and extended families) with all of their love. Through various bouts of failing health, right up to the end, they always worried about others first never about their own circumstances.
Karen was a fervent reader with a flair for speed reading and in her prime would read two books a day! Danni was gifted knitter and known for crafting gorgeous Irish woolen sweaters, blankets, hats and scarfs (among other things). Proud of their Irish heritage, they cherished Celtic traditions and Boston sports teams. Always witty, they named their cars, first Clarence and then Gillhooley. Both were well known for their contagious laughs and for their trademark farewell sayings, “Bye, I love you, see you later, bye” and “I love you forever and always!”
They were blessed to have a chosen family; sister by heart, Marilyn Bourbeau of Ludlow; their chosen children by heart, David Bourbeau and wife Elizabeth and their children Lila and Grace of Wells, ME; Diane Bourbeau and wife Monica Lynch of Quincy; and especially Dawn “Lizzy” (Bourbeau) Gomez, husband Angelo and their children Luca and Olivia of East Longmeadow who spent countless hours caring for, supporting, and loving them. Danni and Karen lived for the opportunity to spend time with Dawn, Luca, and Olivia as this brought them the most joy.
They will be deeply missed by all of those who were touched by their love and generosity. Survived by a nephew Lenny Weake and many cousins and extended family.
As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations in Karen and Danieleen’s memory may be made to Saint Jude Children’s Hospital or the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Family and friends are invited to their Funeral Mass at St. Michael's Parish, 128 Maple St, East Longmeadow, Saturday January 28, 2023 at 10AM Followed by a Burial in St. Michael's Cemetery in Springfield.
Williamsburg Funeral Home has been entrusted with their services.