Kathleen M. Horvatic Nee Leonard

Kathleen Horvatic went by many names during her 76 years on this earth. Mom, Kik, Kath, Kiki, Mrs. Horvatic and Grandma Kiki.  Each of these monikers served to signify the unique role she served in the lives of so many. Mother, wife, sister, daughter, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, neighbor, teacher and party host.

Born Kathleen Mary Leonard on April 2, 1946, she was the first of eight children born to Richard J. and Patricia (Ryan) Leonard, the start of what would become a giant family.  The family moved to the north Beverly neighborhood in 1954, and Kathleen would continue to live there as one of the parish's most dedicated residents for more than 50 years, graduating from Christ the King in 1960 and Longwood Academy in 1964. She later attended Clarke College where she met many dear, lifelong friends with whom she regularly reunited.

In 1969, she gave birth to her first child, Thomas Harrigan, with her second following only 9 months and 25 days later, her daughter Erin Harrigan-Schober. Her namesake Kathleen Harrigan followed in 1973. She married the love of her life, John Horvatic, in 1980 and quickly changed his name to Sean. Their first child, John (Jake) Horvatic was born in 1981 and Mike Horvatic completed the family in 1983.

On top of raising five kids, she taught elementary school for over 25 years. She loved hosting countless Halloweens, Thanksgivings, and Christmases for her ever-expanding family, welcoming new in-laws, babies, and friends every year.

In 1994, her first grandchild, Elle Harrigan, entered the world. 15 more grandchildren would follow, and one great-grandson Weston Keil Harrigan, all of whom felt the warmth and dedication of Grandma Kiki's love throughout the years they spent with her.

When she retired from CPS, she enjoyed her summers in Michiana and her winters in North Fort Myers, surrounded by loved ones and friends as often as she possibly could.

Kathleen is survived by her husband John, her 5 children, Tom (Jackie) Harrigan, Erin (Jay) Schober, Katie Harrigan Arundel, Jake(Kelly) Horvatic, Mike (Cate) Horvatic and her 16 grandchildren, Elle, Jake, Maddie, Eileen, Tommy, Charlie, Aidan, Timmy, Greta, Tess, Finn, Olivia, Luke, George, Tate and Hailey. Her siblings, Rick Leonard, Frank (Patty) Leonard, Patricia Lowry, John (Julie) Leonard, Bird Leonard, Pink (Paul) Carey, Ginny (Dan) O'Shea and so many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by beloved family members: her parents Richard J. & Patricia Leonard, her brother Tom Leonard, brother-in-law Tom Lowry, sisters-in-law Paula Mannion and Sue Leonard and nieces Christine and Kelly Leonard.

Services will be held at her beloved Christ the King church at 9235 S. Hamilton in Chicago. Visitation will be Wednesday, November 2nd from 3-8pm and funeral mass Thursday, November 3rd at 10am.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Misericordia or Lurie Children's Hospital.

TO VIEW A RECORDING OF THE FUNERAL MASS FOR KATHLEEN HORVATIC, PLEASE CLICK THE LINK BELOW:

https://vimeo.com/765951167