Kearns Family History & Genealogy

Catherine was born in Dublin, Ireland in February 1856 to Henry and Elizabeth (nee McGrain) Kearns. At the age of nineteen, she married Joseph O'Keefe on November 3, 1872 in the Catholic Chapel of SS Michael & John in South Dublin and became Catherine O'Keefe. Prior to that Catherine was living at 5 Wood Quay in South Dublin's Registrar's District of Mo 2 South City. Rev. John O'Hanlon officiated and Matthew O'Reilly and Mary Dunne were witnesses at the ceremony. She was 21 when Elizabeth, her first child was born May 28, 1874. Harry was born in Dublin on November 12, 1876. Elizabeth was 2 ½ when Harry was born. The family sailed to America arriving on May 1, 1883 and settled in Cleveland, Ohio. In those days, it was typically the mother who would teach her children the love of God and pass on the practice of their Catholic faith. It is evident that Catherine did a good job at this. Catherine became a US citizen on October 25, 1892 when her husband was naturalized.

Since giving birth in those days occurred at home rather than in a hospital, Catherine's daughter Elizabeth together with her husband Henry moved in with her parents for about a year around the time of their first child's birth. There is little doubt that she was present for the birth of the rest of Elizabeth's children. Catherine's son, Harry O'Keefe and his wife Frances also moved in with Joseph and Catherine for about a year around the time of the birth of their first child, Gertrude, and again when their second child, Edward, was born. In fact, it was at Catherine's house at 12413 Ferris Avenue that her granddaughter, Agnes, gave birth to her first two children.

Catherine's husband Joseph died September 30, 1914 at the age of 60. They were married 41 years. Catherine was 57 years old when her husband passed away.

According to the 1920 census information submitted by Catherine, both Harry and George Billinghurst lived with her at her Ferris Avenue home. This must have been before either of them was married later that year.

Catherine died in her home at 12413 Ferris Avenue November 27, 1923 from heart disease. The wake was held at the family home. After a Requiem Mass at Holy Name Catholic Church, she was laid to rest on November 31 beside her husband in Calvary Cemetery. She was 67 years old. At the time of her death, two children, eight grandchildren, three step grandchildren and three great grandchildren survived her. In the years that followed, this family that she and Joseph started, even though they might not bear the name O'Keefe and surely not Kearns, would become as numerous as stars in the night sky.