Mary Ann Callahan

Mary Ann (Steinmetz) Callahan of Centennial, Colorado passed away on August 3, 2026, at the age of 95, one month after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She lived her life as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.

Mary Ann was born on May 1, 1931 in Evansville, Indiana to Aloysius (Alois) Steinmetz and Eleanora (Harman) Steinmetz and was the youngest of two children. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Marquette University in 1954, where she met and later married Robert (Bob) Callahan, a medical school student at Marquette University who became a psychiatrist.

Mary Ann and Bob were married for 52 years, from their wedding in 1955 until his death in 2007. During the first ten years of their marriage, she and Bob moved often, living in Colorado, Kansas, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Ohio before settling in Erie, PA in 1964, where they stayed for 15 years and became an integral part of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church community. They raised their seven children in the Catholic faith, sending them to parochial schools to foster their education and spiritual growth. Mary Ann enjoyed growing hybrid tea roses such as “Mr. Lincoln” and the “Peace” rose. She collected Hummel figurines and Belleek fine porcelain china, a brand known for its iconic Irish motifs.

In 1979, Mary Ann and Bob moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where they lived for 8 years and continued to raise the younger children. Then they returned to Erie, PA to live for a few years and later lived in Canandaigua, NY, before finally moving to Denver to be near family after Bob retired. While living in Denver, she worked at Stacy’s Hallmark Shop located in University Hills Plaza and she surprised her children one year by taking a Tai Chi class at the local community center. Her favorite cake was pineapple upside down cake.

Mary Ann loved traveling to visit her children and their families wherever they were living, including Boston, Asheville, San Diego, St. Louis, Little Marlow (England), and San Francisco. She enjoyed babysitting her grandchildren, keeping them company as they played games, built puzzles, and watched movies. She enjoyed knitting, going to quilting exhibits, and reading biographies.

Mary Ann loved it when the family was able to gather for holidays, birthdays or other events, giving her the opportunity to experience the love they have for each other and to witness the bonds they formed over the years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert B. Callahan, her parents Eleanora and Alois Steinmetz, her brother William Steinmetz, her nephew Paul Robertson, and her great grandson Teddy Callahan.

Mary Ann is survived by her son Msgr. Steven Callahan of San Diego; daughter Susan Callahan (George Grubaugh) of Denver: son David Callahan (Mary) of St. Louis; daughter Kathleen Kuna of Prague, Czechia; daughter Jeanne Callahan (Christopher Kopp) of Dundee, OR; son Robert B. Callahan II (Elizabeth) of Asheville, NC; and son Brian Callahan (Noreen) of Centennial; as well as 20 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.

A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, August 26, at 10 am at Risen Christ Catholic Church, 3060 S. Monaco Parkway, Denver, CO 80222. Mary Ann will be buried at Ft. Logan Cemetery in Denver alongside her loving husband.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary Ann’s memory can be made to Christian Living Communities, 9570 S. Kingston Ct., Suite 300, Englewood, CO 80112 (reference “Resident Assistance Fund” for Someren Glen) https://christianlivingcommunities.org/support-our-mission/ OR to Catholic Charities of Denver, 6240 Smith Road, Denver, CO 80216 https://ccdenver.org/donate/