Kathleen "Kathy" T. Ahearn-Anderson

Kathleen “Kathy” Therese Ahearn-Anderson, 57, of Columbia, MO, passed away peacefully on April 22, 2025, in Boonville, MO, after a long and courageous battle with Huntington’s Disease.

She was born on December 1, 1967 to Thomas “Mike” and Marjorie “Marge” Ahearn in Erie, PA, as the second of five daughters. There she attended Our Lady of Peace School. In 1980, the family moved to Rockford, IL, when her father started work at Sundstrand. Kathy then attended St. Bernadette School and graduated from Boylan Catholic High School in 1986. She had a joy for basketball, playing on the team for both schools. While in high school she also developed a passion for art, taking classes and exhibiting her work. She graduated from Rock Valley College in 1988 and went on to earn her Bachelors of Fine Arts from Northern Illinois University.

While in college, she met Lovell Anderson and they married in 1989. They moved to Columbia, Mo, and started a family. They have four children, Jeannine (Stephan) Anderson-Findley, Zachary, Deborah, and Katherine Anderson. She also has two grandchildren, Malcolm and Nevaeh Findley.

Kathy is survived by her husband, children, and grandchildren. She is also survived by her four sisters, Mary Ahearn Larson, Marjorie Ahearn, Amy Ahearn, and Jennifer (Brian) Rogers, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family. She is preceded in death by her parents and her nephew.

Kathy will be remembered for her humor, her sportsmanship in basketball and cycling, and her artistic talent, including painting, printmaking and photography. The family would like to thank Lakeview Nursing Home for their care of Kathy.

Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel in Rockford, IL, followed by a service at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family. Any remaining funds will be donated to the Huntington’s Disease Society. Extend condolences or share memories at www.fitzgeraldfh.