Doris H. (Viens) Callahan, age 94, of Haverhill, died Monday, December 1, 2008 at her home.
Mrs. Callahan was born in Haverhill on April 3, 1914, the daughter of the late Albert and Nellie (Ingham) Viens. She was raised in Haverhill and educated in Haverhill schools.
She began to work at an early age for the Johnson Marker Shoe Co., Haverhill. She then married the love of her life, T. Donald Callahan, in Sacred Hearts Church, Bradford, on August 29, 1941. They were married for almost 60 years until his passing on February 17, 2000. After their marriage they were living in the Bradford section of Haverhill for many years and began to raise their family. Later in life she returned to work, as she enjoyed spending time with other people, at both the Sacred Hearts Parish Café and McDonald's in Bradford.
Mrs. Callahan enjoyed everything she did with her husband. That included traveling to visit with family in other states, bingo and cards, bowling, knitting, crocheting, but most of all, she cherished the time she spent with her family, especially her grandchildren.
She was a very spiritual woman and a lifelong parishioner of Sacred Hearts Parish, Bradford. Sacred Hearts has always held a very special place in Mrs. Callahan's heart. She was also a member of the Catholic Daughters of America of Sacred Hearts Parish.
The Callahan family would like to thank everyone that was involved with Mission Towers-Bethany Homes for making their mother's living environment so welcoming and pleasant.
She is survived by her loving children, Donna J. McColley and her husband John "Jack" W. of Bradford and Timothy J. Callahan and his wife Linda L. of Salem, SC; seven grandchildren, Michael P. McColley, John T. McColley, Jeanne A. Corliss, Thomas J. McColley, Beth Bradley, Tammy Derrick, and T. Guy Callahan; 13 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Friday, December 5, 2008 beginning in the C. Frank Linnehan and Son Bradford Funeral Home, 52 Salem Street, Bradford, at 9:30 a.m. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Sacred Hearts Church, 165 So. Main Street, Bradford, at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow in Elmwood Cemetery, Bradford, adjacent to the Linnehan Bradford Funeral Home.
Calling hours will be Thursday, December 4, in the C. Frank Linnehan and Son Bradford Funeral Home, 52 Salem Street, Bradford, from 3:00-7:00 p.m. Relatives and friends kindly invited.
Contributions in Mrs. Callahan's memory may be made to either the St. Vincent de Paul Society c/o Sacred Hearts Parish, 48 So. Chestnut Street, Bradford, MA 01835, the Sacred Hearts School Fund, 31 So. Chestnut Street, Bradford, MA 01835, or the Mission Towers Resident Fund, 180 Water Street, Haverhill, MA 01830.