Dan and Margaret McAuliffe
This year’s theme at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, “A Tribute to the Irish Workers of America“, focuses on the contributions of the Irish in America. The lives of our Grand Marshal husband and wife team, Dan and Margaret McAuliffe, embody this ideal. They have given much back to the Irish community and indeed to the community at large in San Francisco.
The daughter of James Spillane from White Church, County Cork and Bridget Mae Morris from County Longford. Margaret was the only girl in a family of four. She was born in England and grew up in Longford. She arrived in the United States in 1959 with the proverbial one piece of luggage-a carry on bag. She worked in Los Angeles for some time and she lived briefly in New York & New Jersey , before she permanently settled in San Francisco. She went to work at the Palace Hotel where she worked for several years. In 1976, she left the Palace and went to work in her own business.
Dan grew up in Knocknenaugh, Kiskeam, Co.Cork-the son of Patrick McAuliffe and Peg Carroll. In San Francisco, he worked for over 35 years as a painter with his partner, Jerry Cassidy. He is currently using this expertise as a volunteer at the Untied Irish Cultural Center on the Building Committee. Both Margaret and Dan were founding members of the UICC and were involved in many start up fundraisers there. Recently he was involved in the restoration of the Center’s precious Waterford chandelier. He has been a proud member of the Rebel Cork Benevolent Association for well over 40 years where he served as the youngest President at the time and is currently on the Finance Committee.
Dan is noted for his kindness, his wit and his willingness to be a good friend. He enjoys fishing and hunting trips with his many friends and going on cruises with his son, James. One of his friends noted that Dan “not only catches fish, but swims like one.”In fact, he has quite a story about swimming with the dolphins. Much of Dan’s leisure is spent Irish set dancing with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, which promotes Irish dance, song, language and music, and the many friends he has made through that organization. He can be found dancing on most Thursdays at the Center and at the Plough and Stars.
In 1969, Dan and Margaret were married and moved to their own home in the Outer Mission where they still reside. Their son, James, who resides in Florida working for Disney Corporations, was born in 1981. He is a graduate of St. Philips and Riordan High School where his parents were very active. Of all their many awards , their most precious is the Certificate of Apostolic Blessing that they received from the Pope brought back from Rome personally by Fr. Michael Healy.
A person of great energy and generosity, Margaret has devoted so much of her time in so many ways to the community – many times in leadership positions. She is currently President of the Dolores #7 institute of the YLI. Involved with the United Irish Societies for over 40 years, her most recent position was as Vice-President. She was on the Board of the United Irish Cultural Center. A 30-year plus member of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, she has held most every elected and appointed position . She is the past president of the Rebel Cork Ladies Association and of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women. During the tenure of Mayor Jordan, she was appointed to the Commission on Block Grants. She is a founding member of the Archbishop Riordan High School Band booster club. She has been the Financial Secretary/Treasurer of the New Mission Terrace Improvement Association for over 25 years. Annually she is involved in raising money for the ACCW Alpha Pregnancy Center-a very worthy cause which assists indigent Mothers with small children. Margaret is very active in the St. Philip’s Parish and School having served as president of the PTA, on the altar committee, on the parish council and as an organizer of the annual festival. It is not all work and no play with the St. Philips parishioners-annually Margaret and some of her many friends at St. Philips take a fun filled cruise.
Honorary Grand Marshals
The Honorary Grand Marshals are the late Kathleen Fitzgerald, late Anne Quilter, late Terry Kelleher, and late Ed McEntee
Kathleen “Kitty” Fitzgerald
Kathleen “Kitty” Fitzgerald was born in Attanagh, County Kilkenny, Ireland, to Michael and Mary Brophy, the third of six children. Kathleen immigrated to the United States in 1949. She met her husband, Jack Fitzgerald, who hailed from Co. Cork at the Knights of the Red Branch(KRB) where young Irish newcomers would gather to dance each weekend. In 1952, they married and made San Francisco their home. Kathleen loved meeting new people and she selflessly shared her time and talents with her faith and Irish community. She was a “regular” at the St. Cecelia 9AM daily mass, where she would take her turn leading the rosary and was an Eucharistic Minister. She loved to travel around the world with her friends. In addition to her avid interest in UICC activities, she would find time to support local political campaigns, model at the annual Fall fashion show held at the UICC, always treasure her role as godmother, and actively participate in St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
She was an active member of the St. Cecelia’s League of the Sacred Heart, Legion of Mary, the Ancient Order of the Hibernians #2, Cork Ladies, Columban Fathers and Drishane Club and a charter member of the United Irish Cultural Center,
After retiring from Dun and Bradstreet, Kathleen volunteered at Laguna Honda, St. Mary’s Hospital, and the 7th Street Convalescent Center, making numerous friends wherever she went. Her love of life and family as well as generosity is a hallmark of her genuine Irish character.
Anne Quilter
The daughter of Michael and Margaret O’Shea, Anne was born in Dirreen, Adrigole, Beara, Co. Cork, Ireland. Her and her husband, Thomas, settled in San Francisco where they raised six children, eventually being blessed with six grandchildren as well. Her children describe her as a loving, hardworking, generous, strong woman, who loved her family above all else. With a fabulous sense of humor, she had a ready smile and twinkle in her eye for all. In her later years, she became an avid Giants fan.
Promoting Irish culture, language, art and sports were always very important to Anne. She was a lifelong member of the Gaelic League first in Birmingham and then San Francisco. Under the auspices of the Gaelic League, she helped establish the annual Feis, and helped bring the Chieftains and Theatre of the South to San Francisco. There was always a bed or two in their house for the visiting GAA teams, for performers from one of the groups from Ireland, or a friend of a friend. Anne was a charter member of the United Irish Cultural Center and played a key role in the United Irish Societies, Ladies Auxiliary of the UICC, the Rebel Cork Ladies, and the Silver Gaels. She was a stalwart supporter of the Columban Fathers, organizing many an annual dinner or luncheon.
Therese “Terry” Kelleher
Terry, a native New Yorker, settled in San Francisco with her husband, Dan Kelleher. She quickly became very active in the community, chairing many local events. She was a member of the United Irish Cultural Center, where she chaired the 1999-2000 New Year’s Party which was a great success.
Terry had the greatest enthusiasm for the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians. She was a member of the St. Francis Division, LAOH #1 for over 35 years. She served in all the Division and County Board offices. Eventually, she was elected to National office, where she served with grace and dignity. In 1992, she was elected National President of the New Orleans Convention. During her national time, she never forgot her San Francisco Hibernians, opening doors for them at the National level.
Edward James “Ed” McEntee
The son of Irish immigrant parents, John and Catherine McEntee, Edward James McEntee was born in San Francisco in 1933. He attend St. Anne’s Grammar School and graduated from St. Ignatius High School. During the Korean Conflict, he served for two years in the United States Army. He was married to Edith-his beloved “Edie’-for fifty-six years. He was a devout Catholic gentleman, a hardworking man, a devoted husband, and proud father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
An avid fan of the 49ers and the Giants, Ed was a “people person” and enjoyed participating in community events. Ed was a long-time member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. For years, he served as an officer and then President of AOH Division 17, San Francisco. From 2009-2011, he served as President of the AOH County Board in San Francisco; and, from 2009-2011, he served as State President of the California AOH. He was devoted and loyal, and he was extremely proud of his Irish heritage. He was a wonderful storyteller; he had a great Irish sense of humor; and, he loved portraying St. Patrick in San Francisco’s St. Patrick’s Day Parades. He served his community well.