Kathryn Ann O'Donovan

Kathryn Ann “Kack” O’Donovan, 67, of Topeka, died January 7, 2010 at Plaza West Health Care Center.

She was born in Garden City, Kansas on June 8, 1942 the oldest of 13 children born to Wayne and Marie (Mitchell) Pickett.  She grew up on a farm there that she dearly loved.

Kathryn moved to St. Dominic’s Convent in Great Bend where she was a nun with the Dominican Sisters.  She did missionary work in nursing in Nigeria for ten years where she met an Irish priest, Rev. Andrew O’Donovan.  They fell in love and moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where they were married on March 2, 1979.  He preceded her in death on March 22, 2002.

She continued to work as a Registered Nurse at the Topeka State Hospital and later for Rainbow Mental Health in Kansas City. 

Kathryn enjoyed reading and traveling, especially to Ireland.  She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and sisters.

Kathryn was a member of Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church.

Survivors include her three children, Maeve O’Donovan of the home, Fergal O’Donovan and fiancée Gretchen Jones of Topeka, and Rory O’Donovan and wife Kathryn of Gardner, Kansas, two grandchildren, Aishlinn and Liam O’Donovan, her brothers and sisters, Roselee Pickett of Tyler, TX., Rita Pickett-Sullivan of Phoenix, AZ., Tim Pickett of Garden City, KS., Jim Pickett of Norman, OK., Tony Pickett of Hutchinson, KS., Danny Pickett of Arnold, NE., Colleen Cearley of Abilene, KS., Carla Casey-Smith of Los Angeles, CA., Peggy Starr of Celina, TX., Rick Pickett of San Francisco, CA., and Kelley Coonce of Frisco, TX.  She was predeceased by a brother Michael Pickett.

Kathryn will lie in state at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home on Tuesday after 2:00 p.m. where a Parish Rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m.  The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church.  Interment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Community Hospice and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas  66603.

Online condolences to www.brennanmathenafh.com.