Theresa was uniquely musical. She started playing the guitar
and button accordion at a very young age. As she grew older Theresa learned to
play the banjo, flute, fiddle, mandolin, and the piano. Theresa began her lifelong musical career
playing guitar with the 'New Group' at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Church on
Chicago's southwest side with her dear friend Ray Menard. Later in life she could often be heard
playing Irish jigs and reels on the button accordion at her bar, 'Callahan's
Pub' or at Gaelic Park Festivals in Chicago. Ms. Cahillane played at private
events for years with her popular Irish band, 'The Moonshiners.' Eventually, after she moved to Michigan, she
created her musical retail business, 'Fiddles and Flutes' of Royal Oak.
Ms. Cahillane was a proud, active member of the 12-Step
Community, and when she passed away she was just a few weeks shy of 25 years
sobriety. Theresa helped countless others seeking to overcome their alcohol and
drug addiction by sharing her experience, strength and hope. Many are grateful for her wisdom,
sponsorship, humor, and quick wit. A touching event this year was her final
12-step meeting when Theresa was too ill to travel, so her home group took the
meeting to Theresa in her living room. She truly lived her life by the
twelve-steps.
She leaves behind her loving brothers Greg and Thomas of
Bloomfield Township; sister Margaret Blackwood of Sterling Heights; and brother
Patrick and wife Pauline of Cloghan, Offaly, Ireland . She also leaves a niece
Kerry and her husband Stephen Walker of Scottsdale, Arizona; niece Jessica
Blackwood of Royal Oak; nieces and nephew Ashley, Stephen, and Kaitlin, of
Cloghan, Offaly, Ireland; and great nephew Dylan Phipps of Royal Oak. She was
predeceased by her mother Margaret, father Thomas, brother Stephen, sister in
law Patricia and stepmother Rosemary.
Funeral services will be private. A memorial service will be
held at Farina’s Banquet Center at 1 PM on July 28, 2012 at 2485 Coolidge
Highway, Berkley, MI 48072.
Memorial gifts in Ms. Cahillanes' memory can be made to the
National Catholic Council on Addictions, 1601 Joslyn Road, Lake Orion, MI 48360.
