Kathleen Wirtanen

Kathleen Wirtanen, born Kathleen Quinn to Michael and Kathleen Quinn (McCallion) on September 28, 1935, in Dearborn, Michigan, passed away on December 26, 2023, at the age of 88 in Shelby Township, Michigan. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. Kathleen was married to Swante Wirtanen on October 5, 1957 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Dearborn, Michigan. Kathleen is survived by their children: Kathleen Kelly (Robert), Kevin, David (Eloida), Linda Jerome (Tim), and Laura Velasco. She was also a proud grandmother to five grandchildren: Meghan Kelly, Luke Jerome, Sean Wirtanen, Emma Velasco and James Velasco. Kathleen is also survived by her brother, Vincent Quinn. She was preceded in death by her husband, Swante Wirtanen, as well as her siblings James, Michael Frances (Frank), Mary Ellen (Eileen), Gerald, Alphonsus, Maureen and Agnes Quinn. She had a successful career working as a bookkeeper for the family business, Warren Grinding. Additionally, she dedicated 30 years of service to Ford Motor Company; working at their Van Dyke, Chesterfield and Utica plants as a Sewer, Inspector, Embroidery Sewer, Cycle Checker and Maintenance worker. She was a dedicated UAW union member and regularly attended meetings. Kathleen attended Holy Redeemer Catholic School for both grade school and high school. Kathleen was a devoted Catholic and found solace and fulfillment in her faith, worshipping at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Shelby Township, MI. She also viewed several outreach masses when she was unable to attend in person. She donated to many Catholic charities and often sent mass cards to those she prayed for. In her leisure time, Kathleen enjoyed various hobbies. She was proud of her Irish heritage and passionate about genealogy, with a mission to ensure the family tree was accurate and up to date. She was an avid crafter and skilled seamstress, sewing clothes for her family, sewing crafts for fairs, making a custom hooked rug and crocheting numerous blankets, hats, and scarves for her family and others. Kathleen cherished her time spent at the Shelby Township Senior Center, where she enjoyed the company of friends and contributed her time by making centerpieces and favors with the Shelby Senior Center Events group. She was active in the Senior Center knitting and crocheting group that that donated her crocheted baby blankets and hats to local hospital NICUs. She looked forward to playing Bingo weekly at the center with friends. She often gave lottery tickets to family members always hoping that someone would win big. Kathleen Wirtanen will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her legacy of kindness, thoughtfulness, generosity, love, and dedication will forever be cherished by her family and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the "Old Newsboys' Goodfellow Fund of Detroit", a charity near and dear to Kathleen's heart. https://www.detroitgoodfellows.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/goodfellowmemorialgiftform2023.pdf

Kathleen Wirtanen

September 28, 1935 - December 26, 2023