Kathleen Mulligan PhD

Dr. Kathleen Mulligan, an outstanding educator and community service contributor, passed away at Barclay Friends, West Chester, PA, on August 27, 2024 following a long illness. Born on May 1, 1935, at Palmerton Hospital, PA, she was raised in East Mauch Chunk, PA (now known as Jim Thorpe). Kathleen was the daughter of Raymond and Rose (Otto) Mulligan. Her life was marked by the loss of several family members before her own passing, including brothers Raymond, Lawrence, and Francis, sister Rosemarie, beloved son Michael P. Shanoski, first husband Theodore (Ted) M. Shanoski, niece/Godchild Kathleen Schintz, nephews Kevin and Patrick, Aunt Marie Otto, and daughter in law Marguerite Lutton. She is survived by an extensive family, which includes her daughter Karen Shanoski, husband Bradley LeVan, sons Jason LeVan, wife Catherine Gellentien, Benjamin Levan, wife Rachel Peters, son Eric Shanoski, partner John Dahl, daughter Carolynn Coal, brother Bernard, many nieces, nephews, former husband George L. Brady, step-daughters, Alison Shelhamer, and Jenny Korynta, and student exchange daughter, Maridey Diaz. Kathleen had a vibrant early life, deeply influenced by her family's musical talents, notably her father's collaboration with Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey. Ray and Rose encouraged their children to learn an instrument and the family performed as the Musical Mulligans. This musical heritage led her to become a "Marimba Queen," achieving notable success alongside Charlene Britton. They appeared on the Ted Mack Amateur Hour and Stars of Tomorrow shows and appeared at Steel Pier (Atlantic City NJ) four summers. The Marimba Queens played at many venues across Pennsylvania in their teens. This early inclination towards music and performance remained a theme throughout her life. Kathleen married Ted in 1955, and shortly after their marriage they settled in Levittown PA moving to Bloomsburg in 1964 with four children ages 9 months to 8 years. Her dedication to family was demonstrated in numerous ways from volunteering at her children's schools, instilling the value of hard work and honoring commitments, appreciation for the arts, and promoting and accompanying her children in their activities. She married George in 1989 and welcomed his daughters into the family. Professionally, Kathleen was a dedicated educator and advocate for children. Her professional career was distinguished by her service in various roles, including a first job as a Bell Telephone PBX operator, later as Director of the Speech Clinic at the United Cerebral Palsy Center, Speech Pathologist at Geisinger Medical Center, and Educational Coordinator at Northumberland County Child Development Centers, Inc., and Assistant Professor, Bloomsburg State College, Department of Exceptional Disorders. Her commitment to early childhood development was further demonstrated by her co-founding and directing the Danville Child Development Center in 1974, a pioneering integrated daycare service that served as a model for other such centers across Pennsylvania. The philosophy was to serve all children regardless of ability. She obtained licensing, certifications, and funding through public and private sources, and within six months, they were able to move from the Shiloh United Church of Christ in Danville to the Farm Building on the grounds of Danville State Hospital. An Early Intervention Program for handicapped children from birth to two years of age, both in home and center based, was established. They expanded to serve families with children of all abilities from birth through school entrance. She served as Bloomsburg Area School District’s first Curriculum Coordinator in which she established a curriculum review cycle, formed a technology committee, outlined an induction program and wrote grants before retiring. Her community service was no less extensive serving on several committees and local initiatives aimed at improving the lives of her fellow residents including: Town of Bloomsburg's Planning Commission, Town’s Steering Committee for Strategic Planning; Bloomsburg Telecommunication Consortium; Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce, Women’s Conference; Bloomsburg Area YMCA board member, Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble board member, Bloomsburg, Inc. Design Team; member of the Bicentennial Choir; and member of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.) since 2006. Her work earned her numerous awards and recognition for her contributions to education and community service, including a Bloomsburg University Distinguished Alumni Award and a Visionary Award from the Danville Center for Child Development, Columbia/Montour Outstanding Educational Leader, AAUW; Outstanding Woman of the year, Women in Networking; Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development; Certificate of Appreciation, Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning, for Outstanding Contributions for Improving the Lives of Children in Pennsylvania (Founding of DCDC). Kathleen retired in 2004 but remained active in her community. Her interests and passions were wide ranging. She loved to sing and was the first to say, sometimes off key! She enjoyed organizing events from neighborhood picnics to fundraisers and conferences, traveling in the US and abroad, visual, musical, and theater arts, seeking out collectibles, and sitting on her porch reading the newspaper, enjoying fair weather as well as watching storms, and connecting with family and friends. In remembering Kathleen Mulligan, we celebrate a life rich in achievement, marked by dedication to family, education, and community. Her legacy is evident in the lives she touched and the initiatives she pioneered, leaving enduring contributions to the fields of education and community service. A time of Visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024 from 9:00 am to 10:00 am at the Allen Funeral Home, Inc., 745 Market at Eighth Street, Bloomsburg. A Celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 10:00 am at the Allen Funeral Home, Inc. Private graveside services will be held in New Rosemont Cemetery, Bloomsburg. The Allen Funeral Home, Inc., is honored to be serving the Mulligan family. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her honor may be made to: Danville Child Development Center , PEO Chapter CI (promoting women’s education), in care of Wanda Sheatler, Treasurer,158 Camp Road, Bloomsburg PA 17815, The Exchange , Bloomsburg Children’s Museum , and Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble .

Kathleen Mulligan PhD

May 1, 1935 - August 27, 2024