Kathleen Marie Houlihan

Kathleen  “Katie”  Marie Houlihan, of Angola, Indiana, passed away peacefully on April 18th, leaving behind a legacy of strength, dedication, and deep love for her family.

Katie was born on August 25, 1955, in Redford, Michigan, to Martin and Mary Lou (Hammerle) Houlihan. She attended Detroit Mercy College of Nursing, where she pursued her calling to care for others and became a registered nurse. She went on to dedicate an extraordinary 47-year career to St. Mary Hospital (Trinity Health Livonia), where she proudly served as an operating room nurse. Her experience, skill, and commitment to her patients defined her career.

Katie was a devoted caregiver in every sense of the word—both in her profession and in her home. Caring for others was not just what she did; it was who she was.

In 1982, Katie met the love of her life, Richard van Ee. They were married in 1983 and shared 42 years of love and partnership.

Above all, Katie was a devoted mother to her two daughters, Andrea and Alicia. She was the steady foundation of her family, a source of strength, guidance, and unconditional love.

She found joy in life’s simple and meaningful moments. Katie loved antiques and thrifting, trying new foods, and traveling. She also cherished time spent at her beach house in Cheboygan, Michigan, where she could unwind, enjoy the beach's peacefulness, and spend time with family and friends who visited.

Katie’s greatest joy was her family, especially her five beloved grandchildren: Finley, Annemarie, Callahan, Rosealie, and Poppy. They were the light of her life. She was delighted when she relocated to Angola, IN, and to be closer to her daughters and their families.

She will be remembered for her strength, her dedication, her quiet resilience, and the deep love she gave so freely. She was truly the backbone of her family and will be profoundly missed.

Katie was preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Mary Lou Houlihan, her sisters-in-law, Susan Jackson van Ee and Bonnie Jean van Ee, her father-in-law, Rene van Ee, and her mother-in-law, Betsy van Ee, and her sister-in-law, Heidi van Ee, whom she lovingly cared for with compassion and devotion until their passing.

She is survived by her husband, Richard van Ee; her daughters, Andrea van Ee (Robert) and Alicia Walsh (Phillip); her five grandchildren, Finley Brown, Annemarie Brown, Callahan Brown, Rosealie Walsh, and Poppy Walsh; her sisters, Pat St. Louis (Chuck) and Carol Patterson; her brother, Doug Houlihan (Judy), as well as 16 nieces and nephews and 26 great-nieces and great-nephews.

A memorial service will be held at a later time; details to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Salvation Army or to The Lymphoma Research Foundation:  https://giving.lymphoma.org/Tribute  .