Colleen Callaghan

SAUGERTIES, NY – Colleen Callaghan of Saugerties NY, January 20th  1952 – August 18th 2009.  Colleen Callaghan’s story is one of a lifetime of strength in a hard fight against cancer, and the glory of a great woman who touched the hearts of everyone around her.
 
Her husband John Callaghan of Rosendale NY, with Colleen by his side, lost his fight with cancer in 1980.  After a marriage to Donald Schoonmaker III and the birth of their son Evan, Colleen was tragically diagnosed with terminal cancer in 1991 and given less than a year to live.
 
Having seen its results, Colleen forsook any form of chemotherapy, opting instead general medicine, many forms of eastern medicine, diet and faith.  Her determination carried her through 18 years of happy life.  In that time she was able to see her son through high school, through college graduation, and now see him engaged to be married.  Colleen was an amazing friend, a very hard and dedicated worker, helped within her community, served as a deaconess and sang in the choir at her church.  In 2002, with faith on her side, Colleen boldly chose to give up her pain medicines, something she was told she would not be able to do, and lived for six years pain free.  Eventually, though, her cancer caught up with her, affecting her heart. Colleen Callaghan passed away Tuesday morning, August 18th at the age of 58. She is survived by three incredibly loving sisters Marvel Dubois, Patti Schoen and Kathy Hall, her devoted brother Pete Schoen, her proud son Evan Schoonmaker and his fiancé, nine nieces and nephews, their children, and countless friends.  Every person who came in contact with Colleen felt blessed to have known her, and each will take with them a little piece of Colleen’s strength.
 
They say God always takes the good ones.  But he takes them to be with Him.  Surely heaven has gained a new angel today.
 
There will be a memorial service held at her church, the Kingston Seventh Day Adventist Church at 24 West Union Street, Kingston NY 12401 on Sunday August 23rd at 3pm.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be sent to the Kaplan Family Hospice Residence at 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh NY 12550, for their fine and gentle care in her last days.  To leave a message of condolence for the family or obtain directions to the church please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.  The following link can be used to obtain directions to the church: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Kingston+Seventh+Day+Adventist+Church&sll=28.998532,-47.8125&sspn=50.871869,113.818359&ie=UTF8&ll=41.920034,-73.98468&spn=0.083407,0.222301&z=13&iwloc=A&iwstate1=dir