Ms Killilea was James' and Marie's third child. Born 3 months prematurely, she weighed less than 2 pounds.
After her parents sought help from many doctors, as a small child she was diagnosed with the spastic form of cerebal palsy.
Intensive physical therapy meant that she could eventually walk with braces and crutches, ride a horse, swim, and (with her family's help) happily raise and train Newfoundland dogs. She derived much joy from participating in dog shows. One of her beloved dogs was formally named Tam O'Shanter of Knightscroft; within the family he was called Shanty Irish.
Karen's mother wrote two best-selling books about her family.
"Karen" was about her birth through mid-childhood, including the birth of her elder sister Katherine Anne (who died a few hours later), of the lives of her 2 older sisters. and the arrival of 2 younger siblings. (There is a brief mention of Marie's having a total of 12 pregnancies; the eldest daughter was informally adopted.)
'With Love from Karen" was about her teens and early adulthood, including the weddings and early motherhood of her elder sisters Gloria and Marie.
She attended Good Council High School in White Plains, NY. Several siblings also went there.
She did not consider herself "handicapped", but rather "permanently inconvenienced".
Ms. Killileas' 40 year career was as a receptionist for the Trinity Retreat House in Larchmont, NY. She also served for many years as an honorary member of the Board of Directors for the Cardinal Hayes Home for Children in Millbrook, NY.
Karen lived alone in Larchmont, NY for most of her adult life. Towards the end the resided in a skilled nursing facility.
After her parents sought help from many doctors, as a small child she was diagnosed with the spastic form of cerebal palsy.
Intensive physical therapy meant that she could eventually walk with braces and crutches, ride a horse, swim, and (with her family's help) happily raise and train Newfoundland dogs. She derived much joy from participating in dog shows. One of her beloved dogs was formally named Tam O'Shanter of Knightscroft; within the family he was called Shanty Irish.
Karen's mother wrote two best-selling books about her family.
"Karen" was about her birth through mid-childhood, including the birth of her elder sister Katherine Anne (who died a few hours later), of the lives of her 2 older sisters. and the arrival of 2 younger siblings. (There is a brief mention of Marie's having a total of 12 pregnancies; the eldest daughter was informally adopted.)
'With Love from Karen" was about her teens and early adulthood, including the weddings and early motherhood of her elder sisters Gloria and Marie.
She attended Good Council High School in White Plains, NY. Several siblings also went there.
She did not consider herself "handicapped", but rather "permanently inconvenienced".
Ms. Killileas' 40 year career was as a receptionist for the Trinity Retreat House in Larchmont, NY. She also served for many years as an honorary member of the Board of Directors for the Cardinal Hayes Home for Children in Millbrook, NY.
Karen lived alone in Larchmont, NY for most of her adult life. Towards the end the resided in a skilled nursing facility.
Ms Killilea was James' and Marie's third child. Born 3 months prematurely, she weighed less than 2 pounds.
After her parents sought help from many doctors, as a small child she was diagnosed with the spastic form of cerebal palsy.
Intensive physical therapy meant that she could eventually walk with braces and crutches, ride a horse, swim, and (with her family's help) happily raise and train Newfoundland dogs. She derived much joy from participating in dog shows. One of her beloved dogs was formally named Tam O'Shanter of Knightscroft; within the family he was called Shanty Irish.
Karen's mother wrote two best-selling books about her family.
"Karen" was about her birth through mid-childhood, including the birth of her elder sister Katherine Anne (who died a few hours later), of the lives of her 2 older sisters. and the arrival of 2 younger siblings. (There is a brief mention of Marie's having a total of 12 pregnancies; the eldest daughter was informally adopted.)
'With Love from Karen" was about her teens and early adulthood, including the weddings and early motherhood of her elder sisters Gloria and Marie.
She attended Good Council High School in White Plains, NY. Several siblings also went there.
She did not consider herself "handicapped", but rather "permanently inconvenienced".
Ms. Killileas' 40 year career was as a receptionist for the Trinity Retreat House in Larchmont, NY. She also served for many years as an honorary member of the Board of Directors for the Cardinal Hayes Home for Children in Millbrook, NY.
Karen lived alone in Larchmont, NY for most of her adult life. Towards the end the resided in a skilled nursing facility.
After her parents sought help from many doctors, as a small child she was diagnosed with the spastic form of cerebal palsy.
Intensive physical therapy meant that she could eventually walk with braces and crutches, ride a horse, swim, and (with her family's help) happily raise and train Newfoundland dogs. She derived much joy from participating in dog shows. One of her beloved dogs was formally named Tam O'Shanter of Knightscroft; within the family he was called Shanty Irish.
Karen's mother wrote two best-selling books about her family.
"Karen" was about her birth through mid-childhood, including the birth of her elder sister Katherine Anne (who died a few hours later), of the lives of her 2 older sisters. and the arrival of 2 younger siblings. (There is a brief mention of Marie's having a total of 12 pregnancies; the eldest daughter was informally adopted.)
'With Love from Karen" was about her teens and early adulthood, including the weddings and early motherhood of her elder sisters Gloria and Marie.
She attended Good Council High School in White Plains, NY. Several siblings also went there.
She did not consider herself "handicapped", but rather "permanently inconvenienced".
Ms. Killileas' 40 year career was as a receptionist for the Trinity Retreat House in Larchmont, NY. She also served for many years as an honorary member of the Board of Directors for the Cardinal Hayes Home for Children in Millbrook, NY.
Karen lived alone in Larchmont, NY for most of her adult life. Towards the end the resided in a skilled nursing facility.
