Her husband, Russell Lea, passed away just a few months later in February, 2002.

Gloria Killilea Lea passed away in November, 2001 in Cortlandt, NY. Kristin Killilea Viltz was showing dogs by age 15, with some success. He is married and has at least one child. Rory Killilea was in the Army circa 1971. Marie Killilea Irish lives in Fairfield, CT. She lives in an accessible apartment building, and works as a receptionist at a retreat house for priests run by Catholic monks. Karen Killilea now lives in New Rochelle, NY. At the time of her death she was survived by her husband, Jimmy (who died a few years later at the age of 80) and four children: Marie Irish, Karen Killilea, Kristin Viltz, and Rory Killilea, six grandchildren, and one great grandchild. Marie Killilea died on Octoat the age of 78 of respiratory ailments. She received letters from all over the world and once estimated she had answered 15,000 or more. Killilea's books, totaling 4 million copies, have been published in 11 languages. Karen won a Christopher Award and was one of the 30 Notable Books of 1953. She wrote other books as well, including Wren and Newf, published posthumously around 1992. A sequel, With Love From Karen, was published in 1963 and it is still in print. She wrote a novel, Karen, which became a best seller in 1952 and has never been out of print. Killilea encouraged Karen to train dogs for show, breaking new ground for persons with disabilities. Killilea wrote to hundreds of parents of children with disabilities and was an active lobbyist in Albany for the rights of individuals with cerebral palsy. After finally finding out that her third child had cerebral palsy, Mrs. The Killileas consulted 23 top medical specialists and clinics in the United States and Canada. Their primary residence was Larchmont, NY. Marie married James Killilea on July 25, 1933. She graduated from the Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School. Her father was a sportswriter for the New York Sun and later became co-owner of a Wall Street brokerage firm.

Marie Lyons Killilea was born Jin New York City to Tom and Marie Powers Lyons. We are pleased to share this information, which has been complied from many sources. UCP receives many inquiries about the Killilea family.

Growing up, many people read the book Karen by Marie Killilea and were profoundly moved by Karen's story, as told by her mother. God Bless her parents and parents everywhere that don't take a doctor's opinion for gospel when they know better! Karen Killilea and the Killilea Family This came from the United Cerebal Palsy site so now I know Karen grew up and had a life.

Karen by marie killilea