Katherine L. "Kitty" Callaghan

FLORENCE- Katherine L. Callaghan, 68, of Golden Drive passed peacefully on Thursday August 8, 2024 with her daughter, Kerry, at her side. Katherine or Kitty as family and friends called her, was born in Springfield, a daughter of the late Edward and Rita (Hart) Callaghan. She grew up in Springfield, attending local schools including Holy Name Catholic Grade school and graduated from Cathedral High School. Furthering her education, Katherine received degrees from Boston
College, B.A., 1977 and Antioch School of Law, J.D., 1980. In 1994, Kitty met Michael Holroyde and they married in 1996. They welcomed their daughter, Kerry
into the world in 1998 and the family settled in Northampton. She worked as a lawyer for many years with Western Mass Legal Services where she was the Senior Housing Law Attorney. She also was an Attorney for Community legal aid as well as public juvenile defense in Hampshire County. Kitty also helped found the Massachusetts Fair Housing Center in Holyoke, the oldest fair housing center in Massachusetts. She was the founder of the Living wage coalition for Northampton, fighting for fair wages for valley workers. She is survived by her daughter, Kerry Holroyde and her partner Shante of Montague. Her siblings; John Callaghan (Catherine) of Wilbraham, James Callaghan of Indiana, Kim Murphy (Edward) of Florida, Ned Callaghan of Westfield, Ann Lander (Joseph) of Vermont and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends throughout the area. A Celebration of Kitty’s life will be held on Thursday, August 15, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. at the Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence, 220 Main Street Northampton. The family will receive friends for a period of fellowship (visitation) from 10-11 preceding the service.. A Green burial service will be held for family and friends following the services at 1:00 P.M. at Highland Woods Natural Burial Ground, 390 Millers Falls Rd., Millers Falls. Those attending the service are invited to bring a small item from nature to be placed on Kitty’s casket at the service.