Karen Anne Callinan

Karen Anne Callinan passed away unexpectedly on November 28, 2018 at the age of 66.  She was born in Ashland, Ohio on January 25, 1952 to the late Frederick and Muriel Saur.  She was also preceded in death by her brother Erick Saur.  

She is survived by her husband Michael Callinan, to whom she was married for 40 years; her daughters Katherine Prendergast (Zack), Meredith Callinan (Jeff Olszewski), grandsons Declan, Tiernan and Ronan, brother David Saur (Ruth), sister-in-law Diane Griffith, uncle R. Ross Saur, aunt Martha Schoonover, and many nieces and nephews.  

Karen graduated from Lakewood High School in 1970 and went on to receive dual degrees in Art and Theater from Ashland College in 1974.  Karen’s love for art, theater and performance called her to share those gifts teaching at West Side Montessori Center in Toledo, Ohio starting in 1988.  For over two decades there, Karen shared her love of learning and fostered the development of young children in various roles as an early childhood educator, art teacher, and Odyssey of the Mind/Destination Imagination Coach and Appraiser.  

Outside of her work as an educator, she brought her love of art and theater to the Children’s Theater Workshop in Toledo, Ohio.  Karen also pursued her love of writing all ages of fiction and plays, throwing pottery, drawing, painting, and crafting, especially with her grandsons.  Karen radiated her passion for music in all variations and could be found humming, singing, listening and sharing that passion at almost any time; on her own, with family or friends, or various church choir groups.  She and Michael were active in their church communities.  She showed an unending love for all animals, especially her beloved rescued Great Danes.  

Karen enjoyed growing up in Northeast Ohio along with several early years in the Panama Canal Zone.  After marrying, she and Michael lived in the greater Chicago area with their young family, before returning to Ohio, living in Sylvania and eventually the Historic Old West End in Toledo, OH.  When her first grandson arrived, she and Michael moved south to Cincinnati to be the best Nana and Papa all three grandsons would come to adore.  As a retired teacher, she was a treasured Nanny to the Nicholsons (Kami, Rich, Walker, Piper), with whom she shared her boundless love and creativity.  

Karen will be dearly missed by all that came to know her.  There will be a celebration of Karen’s beautiful life on Saturday, December 15th at 11am at Crestview Presbyterian Church, 9463 Cincinnati-Columbus Road, West Chester, Ohio 45069.  Any and all who wish to attend are welcome.

The family is asking that in lieu of gifts or flowers, donations be given in Karen’s name to one of these organizations she was passionate about: Children’s Theater Workshop (419-244-5061, https://ctwtoledo.org/), Crestview Presbyterian Church (513-777-6555, https://crestviewchurch.com/), or Harlequin Haven Great Dane Rescue (937-379-2331, http://hhdane.com/).

To share a memory of Karen or leave a special message for the Callinan family, please click the "Tribute Wall" tab above and to the right, enter the information, and click "Save Post."  

Walker Life Celebration Center, 1025 E. McMillan Street, Cincinnati (45206)  is serving the  Callinan family.  Please call (513) 251-6200 or visit www.WalkerFuneralHome.com for additional information.

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