Catherine "Kitty" McNicholas

Of Arlington Heights

Catherine "Kitty" McNicholas was born August 29, 1931 in Ireland to Patrick and Agnes (nee O'Neill) O'Shea.  She passed away Tuesday, October 18, 2005 at Northwest Community Healthcare Center in Arlington Heights.

"Kitty" was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother, instilling her proud Irish heritage in her family. Born in County Clare, she developed an abiding interest in traditional Irish music and step dancing. Through her efforts and the efforts of a small group of parents like her who fostered the teaching of the old traditions, step-dancing in Chicago flourished and gave rise to the worldwide phenomenon it became in the 1990s.

She was a great storyteller with a dark Irish sense of humor who especially loved reading and traveling.

Catherine is survived by her husband Thomas J., whom she married October 11,

1958; her children Michael (Faith) McNicholas, James McNicholas, Sharon (Gregory) Brehm, Joyce (Michael) Darling and Daniel McNicholas; grandchildren Nicholas, Patrick, Edward, Andrew, Kevin, Kathleen and Matthew; brothers Daniel, Vincent (Ann) and Michael J. (Mary); sisters Bridget (Sean) Beakey, Helena, Mary and Irene; and sister-in-law Marie (Norbert) Hund and Anne (John) Giangrasse; brother-in-law John (Eleanor) McNicholas; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Catherine was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Teresa and sisters-in-law Marge (Dr. Donald) Fahrenbach and Teresa McNicholas.

Prayers will be held 8:45 AM Saturday, October 22, 2005 at the Glueckert Funeral Home, Ltd., 1520 N. Arlington Heights Rd., (4 blocks south of Palatine Rd.) Arlington Heights, with procession to Our Lady of the Wayside Church, 440 S. Mitchell Ave., Arlington Heights, for Mass at 9:30 AM.  Visitation from 3:00 PM until 9:00 PM, Friday, October 21, 2005 at the Glueckert Funeral Home, Ltd.  Burial will be at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, Ill.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Our Lady of The Wayside Parish, 434 W. Park St., Arlington Heights, IL 60005.