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Tom Keenan
She’s been president of just about every Irish organization she’s joined. He’s taken photos of nearly everyone in the Irish community in Philadelphia. Though she’s a relative newcomer to Philadelphia, she has become the darling of “the ladies who lunch” at the Irish Immigration Center in Upper Darby.
They’re the latest inductees to the Delaware Valley Irish Hall of Fame, which will honor them on November 11 at the Irish Center in Philadelphia.
Kathy McGee Burns
Kathy McGee Burns has been involved with the Irish community since 1986. She is a member of many organizations including the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Observance Association (she is outgoing president); the Irish Memorial, Brehon Law Society, Irish Society, Claddagh Fund, Irish Anti-Defamation Federation, Inspirational Irish Women (she was a first year honoree), and the Donegal Association (where she also served as president). She the president of the Delaware Valley Irish Hall of Fame and is active in supporting St. Malachy’s School in Philadelphia. Father John McNamee, who helped turn St. Malachy’s into a “beacon of hope,” was one of the many who nominated her to the Hall of Fame. Married to Michael Burns, Kathy is the mother of nine children.
If you’ve been to any Irish event in the region, you saw Tommy Keenan, the longtime photographer for the Irish Edition, the newspaper that has covered the Irish community for decades. Bob Gessler, founder of the Hibernian Hunger Project, wrote in his nomination letter: “With little fanfare or fuss, Tom Keenan has at one time or another, made us all part of history.” He has not only chronicled Philadelphia’s Irish history but he has supported many causes from sports to charity. Tom works as an Instructor at the Antonelli Institute for Art and Photography where he prides himself in being a mentor and adopted parent for hundreds of students. Tom is married to “ the love of his life, Jane” and has a son, Dylan.
Siobhan Lyons
Thirty of the “senior citizens” who are regulars at Irish Immigration Center of Philadelphia nominated executive director Siobhan Lyons. Declan Forde, in his letter, wrote: “We have chosen Siobhan because she is a hard working person, 7 days, 24 hours a day. She works for the benefit of we Irish who may need help with such questions as health, finances and insurance.” Siobhan is also involved with the Brehon Society, the Irish American Business Chamber and Network, and the Irish Network (In-Philly). Born in Dublin, she is the daughter of a
diplomat and majored in Arabic.
For tickets to this event, please call Sean McMenamin 215-850-0518 or Maureen Saxon 610-909-0054.
