Patricia M. Callahan '94
Patricia McMahon Callahan, 92, passed away on November 21, 2017. She was a long-time resident of Skaneateles, New York before she moved to Spencerport in 2015 to be closer to family. Pat was born Patricia Ann Mary Smith Connachan McMahon in Paisley, Scotland in 1925. At the age of 3, she crossed the Atlantic with her mother, brother and sister to join their father in America, entering through Ellis Island. Pat became a U.S. citizen in 1967.
Pat married Vincent Henderson Callahan in 1952. Vin, who died in 1988, was a successful businessman. Pat supported him and the family, with an ever-positive outlook on what became eight relocations (encompassing 10 house moves) required by his career with Crucible Steel. Pat was active in the Catholic Church, her anchor. In the last 30 years of her life, she was very active in community activities and charitable associations, including Literacy Volunteers of Auburn, the Skaneateles Library Guild, Father Peter Major’s Sudan Project, and the Sneaker Project in Vero.
Pat received her AA degree in early childhood education from Elizabethtown (KY) Community College in spring, 1972. After many years of persistence, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in contemporary studies from Empire State College/Cayuga County Community College. She was honored with the Cayuga Community College distinguished alumni award in 2013.
Impact
The Vincent H. and Patricia M. Callahan Impact Scholarship fund was established though an estate gift from Patricia M. Callahan ‘94. Pat was not able to complete her college education until she was in her 70s, and she and her family were very proud of her perseverance over the decades. This gift is made with the hope that students, especially working women with families, have the resources to support their college education goals.