Kathleen Mary “Kitty” Calhoun

Published 10:13 am Monday, October 21, 2024

Kathleen Mary “Kitty” Calhoun

Kathleen Mary “Kitty” Calhoun, matriarch to a Southern Oregon family that operates the Arbor House restaurant in Talent and who left indelible memories on the lives of everyone she met, passed away peacefully Oct. 4, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was 83.

Kitty was born in New York State and graduated from Bishop McDonnell High School in Brooklyn.

She married Patrick Francis Calhoun on Oct. 7, 1961, and they began to build a family. In 1974, Kitty and Patrick, along with five children, a dog with puppies, and a cat, packed themselves into a VW bus and embarked cross-country for Oregon.

The couple would become co-founding owners of the Arbor House restaurant in 1979 at 103 W. Wagner St. in Talent. Patrick Calhoun died in February 1990 in a tragic traffic accident, and Kitty helped protect and guide the family through a difficult time. Through perseverance and an unshakable family bond, the Calhouns kept the restaurant going, and family members continue to operate the highly popular restaurant to this day.

The walls of the restaurant are legendary, full of touching old photos in color and black and white that picture the family throughout their younger lives.

Kitty had an innate ability to show love to the ones who needed it most, a family tribute said.

“The world will never be the same without her bright shining light, her wit and wisdom will be missed more than words can say.”

Kitty was preceded in death by her husband, Patrick, and five siblings — three brothers and two sisters.

She is survived by her children: Eric, Rory, Melissa, Noelle, Joel and Leah, all of whom live in the Rogue Valley; as well as nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life is scheduled from 2:30 to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28, at Paschal Winery, 1122 Suncrest Road, Talent.