Kathleen Ann Ireland

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Kathleen Ann Ireland, age 74, on March 20, 2026.

Kathy was a devoted mother, grandmother, and a friend to all who met her. She grew up in New York—something unmistakable to anyone who heard her signature “New Yawk” accent—before moving to Florida in 1989 and ultimately settling in Michigan in 1994.

Kathy had a deep love for gardening and channeled her creativity through her own arts and crafts business. She also found great joy in the kitchen, where she especially loved to bake for those she cared about.

A devoted single mother, Kathy centered her life around her family. Everything she did was for them, and nothing brought her more happiness than brightening someone else’s day. It was this love that sustained her through many health challenges over the years. As many of her friends knew, Kathy required a mechanical heart pump at the age of 59 when she went into heart failure. Luckily, eight months later she was blessed to have received a heart transplant on 1-11-2011 at Henry Ford Hospital. We are incredibly thankful to her donor for giving us all extra time with her, and to allow her to be with the family she loved.

Kathy’s happiest moments were spent with her grandchildren. She could often be found cheering them on—loudly and proudly—at their sporting events and school activities.

She is lovingly survived by her daughter, Nikki (Dana) Wolfe; her cherished grandchildren, Kennedy and Ryan; her sister, Kerry (Paul) Gesner; her niece, Taylor (Steve) Furnas; and many beloved extended nieces and nephews. Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Virginia Bauer.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, May 17, at Harris Funeral Home, 15451 Farmington Road, Livonia. Visitation will begin at 3:00 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 6:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, Kathy would have appreciated donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Michigan Humane Society.

Please share a memory of Kathy by singing her Guestbook.