Atlanta
Joan Kieran, 92, Dies; Mother Of Two Priests
Published February 16, 2006
Joan Kieran, the mother of Father Richard and Father John Kieran of the archdiocese, died in Ireland on Feb. 10 at the age of 92.
Mrs. Kieran, the mother of eight children and a resident of County Louth, was diagnosed with bone cancer in late 2005. She was an active member of the Contract Bridge Association of Ireland for 50 years and president of the North East Region at the age of 91.
A visitor to Georgia on several occasions, she came most recently last fall to see her sons.
Father John Kieran is the pastor of St. Pius X Church in Conyers. Father Richard Kieran, who last year celebrated his 40th anniversary of priesthood, has been in rehabilitation since he suffered a major brain hemorrhage in 1999. Other survivors include a daughter, Eileen Kieran Willson, who lives in Kenya, and a son and daughter-in-law, Eugene and Rosemary Kieran, of Jacksonville, Fla. Several other of her children live in Ireland. Her husband, Lawrence, predeceased her.
The funeral Mass was celebrated in Ireland on Feb. 14.
A holy hour was held at St. Pius X Church on Feb. 13 and a memorial Mass will be celebrated at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Atlanta, where Father Richard Kieran served on several occasions, later in the month.