Kathleen R. McColgan

Kathleen R. McColgan passed away suddenly on September 26th, 2026, her 79th birthday.

Kathleen was born on September 26th, 1947 to Arthur and Helen (née Mahoney) McColgan in Chelsea, while her parents both served in the Navy during World War II. She grew up in Dorchester, attending Fontbonne Academy in Milton and working as a waitress at the still-in-operation Victoria’s Diner. She made a living as a barber and a pioneer as one of first female barbers in Massachusetts and eventually starting her own business, Libby’s Haircutters, in the neighborhood where she raised her two children, Joanne and David. She was known for being generous to many people and causes; she was a devout Catholic and parishioned at the former St. Matthew’s Church on Stanton Street, as well as Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Mission Hill.

Besides her two children, Joanne and David (Kara) Libby, she is survived by her four grandchildren: Kathleen Libby, Laura and Michelle Colindres, and Brendan Libby, and four great-grandchildren: Julian Alicea, Brian Mackin, Nathaniel Colindres, and Marcio “MJ” De Jesús. Also surviving are her siblings: Michael of Natick, Colleen (Anthony) Settipani of Weymouth, and Marylou of Spring Hill, Florida, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and brother, William.

Services will be held at Bell-O’Dea Funeral Home at 376 Washington St, Brookline, MA 02445. Visitation will be Friday, October 2 from 4-7 and burial Saturday at 10:30am at Walnut Hill Cemetery in Brookline. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Council of Boston, an organization she loved supporting so much during her life.