Obituary of Kathleen M Hourihan

Kathleen Hourihan passed away peacefully on June 10, 2021 after a courageous battle with dementia.  Kathleen was a longtime resident of Monmouth Beach, NJ for many years before moving to Seabrook Village in Tinton Falls in 2008. 

Kathleen was the beloved daughter of Irish immigrants, John and Kathleen (Sullivan) Hourihan. She was the adored sister of Monsignor John Hourihan, Eileen Daly and Timothy Hourihan.  Kathleen had a long-term companion, George Clauss, whom brought her much joy.  It is a great comfort to know she has been reunited with her beloved family and friends who went before her. 

After completing her masters in special education, Kathleen had a wonderful career teaching deaf children at the Bruce Street School in Newark, NJ.  Her compassion and patience along with her expertise in the world of those who cannot hear were truly remarkable.  Kathleen loved her Irish heritage and delighted in her travels to Ireland and getting to know her extended family in Bantry.  The family home in Monmouth Beach was her favorite place in the world and she spent endless hours walking the boardwalk and sitting at the beach club pavilion watching the waves roll in.  She was a devoted parishioner and attended daily mass at Church of the Precious Blood.

Kathleen is survived by her nieces Kathleen Gunyan (husband John) and Marianne Phillips (husband Stephen) and her grandnieces and grandnephews Meghan, Erin, Caitlin, Theresa, Jack, Matthew and Caroline.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to St. John’s Soup Kitchen, PO Box 200147, Newark, NJ 07102.