Late Kathy Cahill honored for ‘life of service’ with Cahill Commons dedication in Erlanger

By Patricia A. Scheyer
NKyTribune reporter

On a bright, beautiful Saturday morning in the city of Erlanger, a large group of people came to the little neighborhood park at the corner of Stevenson and Rainbow Terrace to pay tribute to a great lady who spent her entire adult life in service to others.

It has been three years since Kathy Cahill left this life, but looking at the crowd of people, the feeling of love and remembrance was still strong and clear.

“What I see around here is a lot of love,” said Erlanger Mayor Jessica Fette. “A lot of love for community, and mostly, a lot of love for Kathy Cahill. Today is about celebrating Kathy’s work, and the legacy she left behind in our city. Kathy dedicated her life to service, both as a council member, and through her passion for event planning and parks and recreation. Her commitment to our community was undeniable, and her influence can be seen in the events we’ve enjoyed and the spaces that we cherish. She worked tirelessly to create opportunities for connection, fun and enjoyment for all of the residents of Erlanger. Believing that a strong community is built not just by policies, but in the places that we gather and the experiences we share. It’s no secret that Kathy was passionate about our parks. She poured her energy into making them better for all of us. I acknowledge the profound impact that she had on the city and today as we open this park, I know her spirit and dedication will live in this space forever.”

Kathy’s three children and grandchildren pulled the tarp from the stately new sign that proclaims that the new park is now being called Cahill Commons.

Tom Cahill, Kathy’s eldest, and also an Erlanger councilmember, spoke of his memories.

“What I remember most is her community service,” he said. “She started on the Erlanger Rescue Squad, and I remember her getting up at 3 in the morning to help people. That’s probably why I joined the squad too.”

Tom said when she started in the Parks and Recreation there was no budget, but that didn’t stop his mom from holding events to make people, especially children, happy and busy. He said he was sure that some of the supplies she used are still in the basement at his dad’s house.

“It is fitting that Rainbow Park is the park that is named for her, because it has always been one of her favorites,” he commented. “This is the park where she started out. When I look out at this beautiful park and all the people sitting here, I see a wonderful legacy for a woman who cared deeply for her community.”

His wife, Shannon, also remembered that Rainbow Park was a favorite of Kathy’s, as she passed out pink bracelets emblazoned with one of Kathy’s favorite lines, XOXO.

“She was a giver, never a taker,” said one of her granddaughters. When asked what she thought Kathy would think of her park, she said, “Oh my gosh, she would be in love!”

“I don’t really know where her passion came from, but it seemed so natural for her,” said Kathy’s daughter Chrissy. “I know when she was needed, she was the happiest. I don’t know if she knew how much she made people happy, but everyone else did. She definitely made the world a better place!”

So on this beautiful pre-fall Saturday with the dappled sunlight shining on her newly named park, people stood and sat in groups, reluctant to leave, talking about their memories of Kathy, and munching on the cookies that were her favorite, sugar cookies with smiley faces on the icing.

“Kathy’s dedication to service and her vision for what Erlanger could be are what we are here to honor today,” Mayor Fette summed up. “The park is a testament to her love for Erlanger, and it is my hope that it will be a place where families, friends and neighbors can come together for many years, in the way that Kathy always envisioned.”

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