Katheran Eileen Caulfield, of Virginia, MN, died suddenly after a brief illness, at St Mary’s Hospital in Duluth, at the proud young age of 80. She departed this life wrapped in love, with her soulmate and husband, Joseph, by her side, and surrounded by family.
Kathy was born in 1945 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England, to Ralph and Eileen (McCullough) Tessier. Kathy came to the US aboard the USS Queen Mary at the age of 9 months, and settled in Ralph’s hometown of Sycamore, Illinois.
Joe and Kathy married in 1973 in Dekalb, Illinois, and raised two beautiful daughters together. They made their home on the Iron Range starting shortly after their marriage. Their mutual agreement at the time was that they would stay for 2 years, before moving elsewhere. However, much to their mutual joy, they have remained for over 52 years. Although their travels over the years took them to places as far away as Alaska, the US Virgin Islands, Ireland, Italy, and Mexico, she never found a place she loved more than Northern Minnesota.
Over the years, Kathy served as the Executive Secretary to the Superintendent of Virginia Schools, was part of the staff of the Northland Special Ed Co-op, and was the office manager for a local architectural firm. Kathy also dedicated much time to volunteer pursuits around the Iron Range. She was a “Founding Mother” of the “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” Valentines Day concerts, which featured a joint student-community orchestra. She spearheaded Diner’s Club Booklets to fund string music education in the Virginia Schools. She was also active in the Virginia Fountain Restoration Committee as well as the Library Advisory Commission. Together with Joe, they led a Contemporary Youth Group, first at St John’s Catholic Church in Biwabik, and then at Holy Spirit in Virginia. In addition, they initiated the children’s music programs at Land of the Loon. Theater was also a favorite pursuit, and Kathy spent time both on stage and behind the scenes in Community Theater in the area. She was a skilled Scrabble player and especially enjoyed beating her dyslexic husband!
Kathy was half of the ubiquitous couple ‘Joe and Kathy’. Her bright smile, twinkling eyes, and joyous laugh brightened the rooms, conversations, and events in which she participated. Her grace and warmth were only overshadowed by her love for Joe and their daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was overjoyed by the honor of becoming a great grandmother. In addition, she loved her siblings, extended family, and friends who were like family, deeply.
Kathy is survived by Dr. Joseph B. Caulfield, her loving husband and soul mate of over 52 years; daughters Jennifer (Daniel) Rinta of White Bear Lake, Alison (Daniel) Kenda of Denver; Grandchildren Steph (Tasha) Rinta, Caitlin (Jonathon) Hogan, Grace Kenda, Hannah Kenda, and Lauren Kenda; and Great Grandchildren, Amelia, Adalina, and Ronan Hogan; her siblings Mary (Ted) Hunt, Bob (Kathy) Tessier, Janet Tessier, and Nancy Jo Tessier; and numerous nieces and nephews and God children. She is also survived by her beloved dog Luna.
Preceding Kathy in death were infant daughter, Lisa Katheran, sister Jeanne Tessier, and her parents Ralph and Eileen Tessier.
In keeping with Kathy’s tradition of helping people, she participated for the past 10 years in a longitudinal research program at Mayo Clinic looking at the heritability of Alzheimer’s Disease. That commitment culminated in her ultimate gift, the donation of her body to the program to further their research. Therefore, in lieu of gifts, contributions to the following charities are encouraged: Mayo Clinic Abigail Van Buren Alzheimer’s Research, or the UNICEF Fund for Ukrainian Women and Children Relief Efforts.
A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.
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Arbre généalogique
Katheran Tessier
9. Ralph Eugene Tessier et Eilenn Cherry
8. Eugene Louis Tessier et Anne Katherine Hopkins
7. Louis Tessier et Elizabeth Jane Liscomb
6. Ambroise Tessier et Marie Bernard
5. Ambroise Tessier et Marie-Louise Ducharme
4. Jean-Baptiste Tessier et Thérèse-Catherine Huppé
3. Jacques Tessier et Marie Saulquin
2. Ignace Tessier et Marguerite Lussier
1. Urbain Tessier et Marie Archambault
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