Kathleen “Kathy” McAllister Croghan was born on September 11, 1924 to Vivian and Anne (Jennings) McAllister in Chicago, Illinois.
As a child, her family moved to Alabama. She talked of visits to her grandmother’s house in Red Oak, Iowa, where she learned to read and began a life-long love of reading. After graduating from high school in Jasper, Alabama, Kathy completed her nursing degree at the University of Iowa in 1947. At the university hospital she met James “Jim” Croghan, who she married on December 2, 1950, in Iowa City. Four children were born to this union: Anne, Gregory, Lisa, and Joseph.
Kathy and Jim started their family on a farm near Panama, Iowa. In nearby Harlan, Kathy worked as a registered nurse at Myrtue Memorial Hospital. Kathy assisted at the births of many nieces and nephews. The family moved to Des Moines (1961) and Annandale, Virginia (1964).
Kathy opened her home to students from the Middle East. She remained close to many of the students and their spouses, children, and grandchildren. Kathy volunteered at the Lorton Prison in Virginia, teaching reading to prisoners. She was interested in religions, cultures, social justice, and politics.
In 2002 Kathy and Jim moved to the Goodwin House retirement community in Falls Church, Virginia. Kathy was active in the resident council and committees. She made many friends there and was lovingly cared for by the Cherry Blossom unit and hospice staffs.
Kathy died on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, in Falls Church, Virginia, at the age of ninety-seven. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, in 2007, daughter, Lisa, in 1982, brother, Robert, and sister, Margaret. She is survived by her daughter, Anne Giese of Washington, DC, and sons, Gregory (Pamela Altman) Croghan of Silver Spring, Maryland, and Joseph (Cynthia LaPlante) Croghan of Falls Church, Virginia; beloved grandchildren Christopher, Kathleen, Stephanie, Andrew, David, Joseph, Caroline, Peter, and Catherine; and brother-in-law Thomas (Jean) Croghan of Omaha, Nebraska.
Contributions in Kathy’s memory can be made to the Goodwin House Foundation, Employee Education and Emergency Assistance Fund, 3340 South Jefferson Street, Falls Church, VA 22041.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, July 9th at 10:30 AM at the St. Mary’s of the Assumption in Panama. Visitation will be Friday, July 8th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the St. Mary’s Parish Center in Panama. Burial will be at the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Panama. The Pauley Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
