Kristen L. (Eddy) Callahan

74 years young, Kristen L Callahan passed away on the morning of Sunday June 4, 2023, at home with her 3 children around her.  

Kristen's proudest job was being a mom and raising her 3 children at home. Nature was their playground, she opened them up to a rich world of wonder and curiosity on frequent outdoor walks. She particularly enjoyed science, biology and ecology and had a great memory of plants and animals. An amateur birdwatcher, she enjoyed feeding the songbirds and appreciated the antics of the squirrels, all fondly named Nutsy Fluffy Tail.  

A lifelong stickler for grammar, she had quite an extensive vocabulary. She loved learning any subjects, but areas of science and religion were of greatest interest, and she raised her children in Christian Science. Astronomy and astrology were a few of Kristen's passions, and she was an attuned level 3 Reiki master. Kristen graduated in the top tier of her class at Hamilton Wenham High School and went on to study at Salem State University. She spent some time in the professional learning program at Endicott College, where she found writing her biography to be a fulfilling way to reflect on life.  She retired from the State of Massachusetts, where she worked in Accounts Payable at North Shore Community College.  

Kristen was very proud of her work with children at the Ipswich Middle School.  She loved lighting the spark in kids who learned via the path less traveled. Together they solved problems differently. Her confidence in her students boosted them in a way that made them believe in themselves too. This love and support of others extended outside of teaching. Many friends remember Kristen for believing in them and giving them a safe space to be their own unique selves.  She listened attentively in a way that made folks feel heard and made them understand their importance. Kristen was dedicated to supporting her children's athletic endeavors from early ages. She could be found tabulating BMX races or even changing flat tires when Dan built the BMX track in the backyard. Kristen was a great supporter of the bodybuilding lifestyle, supplying protein and green vegetables for carefully planned macros.  

Though she was quite busy caring for her family, Kristen had the adventure of a lifetime when she visited her childhood friend Susan Marshall on Salt Spring Island, Vancouver, British Columbia. Other memorable travels were to North Carolina where she lived for a short time in the 1970s, driving round trip to Washington, D.C., and many visits to Maine. Her most frequent travels were to Gloucester, with Danny and their Basset Hounds, Sammy and Slater. Kristen and Dan loved boating through the creeks and stopping at local beaches to enjoy their days together. Most recently her adventures were via Netflix with Mary. They enjoyed many suspense tv dramas, documentaries and nature shows, especially those narrated by David Attenborough. Kristen never stopped learning. Her final weeks were spent fascinated by learning about Australian culture.

Kristen is survived by her brother Karl Eddy and his wife Mary, her brother Kurt Eddy, and her sister Kara Eddy. She is also survived by her children, Mary Callahan, Michael Callahan and his wife Crystal, and her daughter Emily LeMieux and her husband Peter Sr. She is survived by four grandchildren: Tyler, Yaya, and Matthew Callahan, and Lucy LeMieux. Kristen is predeceased by her loving husband, Daniel, and her parents, Norman and Irene Eddy. She is also predeceased by her grandson Peter LeMieux Jr..   Kristen and Daniel were buried at the Highland Cemetery in a private burial. 

A Celebration of Life was held Saturday  June 10, 2023  at the V.F.W.  110 County Road, Ipswich, all were invited.  Memorial donations can be made to:  Care Dimensions  75 Sylvan Street  Suite B-102  Danvers, MA  01923  or   online at:  CareDimensions.org/Donate.  Assisting the Callahan family was the Morris Funeral Home of Ipswich.  To send a letter of condolence to Kristen's family please go to:  MorrisFH.com

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