Kelly Martin Calahan

December 31, 1962 - March 8, 2008

It's been a pretty hard week. Thankfully, we were so close we could travel quickly and be with family this last week. It really didn't seem real until we got to her house, saw Lou, saw the kids. We all gathered so much strength to get through, to the point of exhaustion, but the pain never really leaves, just subdues. If it weren't for our deadline, we'd probably still be up there, because when the people leave, when the food stops coming, when the house is empty and silent is when things really hit and then settle like the silence: she's gone.

The viewing was very hard; the virus took its toll, and the funeral home did the best they could, but it did not look like Kelly, did not look like my aunt.

The memorial service was very cathartic; my dad the ever diplomat gave a great talk, along with Kelly's sister, co-workers, friends, and neighbors. There was no hyperbole in their sentiments, and you could hear Kelly putting the Pentagon police officer in his place.

We saw more relatives than we knew we had, and though the circumstances were dire, it was nice to see family and re-connect.

It was very hard looking at those kids, my cousins, and Laura Anne and I won't be the type to just say we'll keep in touch; we will.

Now everyone has to move on with their lives...I don't know how my dad, aunt, and grandparents will manage, since Kelly was a daily or weekly part of their lives on the phone or in person.

Kelly Martin Calahan, Age 45, of Manassas, Virginia passed away on March 8, 2008. A life-long Virginian, Kelly was born in Atkins and graduated from both Virginia Tech and the George Mason School of Law. Kelly is survived by her husband, Louis Calahan; one daughter Carleigh, age 7; two sons, Quinn, age 9 and Luke, age 4; her parents, Janice and Robert Martin of Atkins, Virginia; her sister and brother-in-law, Karen and Mike Haga of Coppell, Texas and one brother and sister-in-law, Dennis and Jenny Martin, St. Petersburg, Florida and a host of friends. Kelly was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, in Manassas, Virginia and had a passionate commitment to helping the less fortunate throughout her life. Kelly became a committed wife and mother after marrying Lou, the love of her lifetime in 1998. Kelly was actively involved in all aspects of her children's educational and recreational activities. Professionally, Kelly spent her career as an attorney in a variety of government positions and was serving as Associate Counsel at the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, D.C. at the time of her death. Kelly was an avid home decorator. Her other interests included reading, shopping and cooking. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Kelly's favorite charity, the St. Jude Children's Hospital Memorial Program, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.

Comments

Soja,

I just posted this comment on my blog (blithering idiot) and am posting here because I wanted to respond to you. This was what I wrote:


I'm reading these notes in reverse order and just got to this. Kelly was such a cool person -- even though I hadn't seen or talked to her in over 15 years, her death was devastating. She really was one of those people who lived life to the fullest.

Your Dad's words -- and his sister's words -- were awesome. I don't know how either could've gotten up and spoke like that. When they were done I said to my wife that the Martin family must have been a special, blessed family to have produced such outstanding kids.

You all are in my prayers.

William P. Sulik

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