Obituary for Asdis “Eja” Callaghan (Hjalmtysdottir) Our beautiful mom, Asdis “Eja” Callaghan (Hjalmtysdottir), passed away peacefully on July 1, 2018 and is in heaven joining her loving husband John. Mom was born in Reykjavik, Iceland on July 23, 1921, one of eight siblings born to Lucinde Hansen and Hjalmtyr Sigurdsson. A handsome John Callaghan, stationed in Iceland during WWII proposed and a wonderful life together began.
Mom and Dad settled in Wethersfield where they raised their family. Mom’s grace, talent and style could be seen in all she did – interior decoration, gardening, cooking and baking (we will never forget those Icelandic pancakes and chocolate cream pies! ).
A self-taught and extremely accomplished seamstress, Mom made clothes for herself, children and grandchildren. Her sense of fashion and perfectly tailored homemade attire was showcased when she worked at Lord and Taylor- and countless customers wanted to know where she bought her outfits! Always full of energy and positive spirit- and young in looks and attitude- Mom was quite a lady- a kind, generous and loving soul.
To follow in her footsteps and continue her legacy of generosity and kindness are her children Robert Callaghan of Westbrook, Linda Stephenson (Charles) of Simsbury, and Patricia Kaminsky (Stephen) of Wethersfield; grandchildren Elizabeth Aston (William) of Burlington, Patrick Callaghan (Meghan) of Cromwell, Lindsay Papillo (Stephen) of Tolland and Craig Kaminsky of Wethersfield. Mom loved children and was also blessed with five great grandchildren: Chase Aston, Sadie Aston, Joseph Callaghan, Samantha Callaghan, and John Benjamin Papillo. Mom is also survived by her sister Johanna “Blia” Thorarensen of Kopavogur, Iceland and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends in Iceland.
Special relatives who she visited with often, are her nephew Petur Ludvigsson and his wife Nina of Reykjavik, and niece Kristin Thorarensen and her husband Viglundur of Gardabaer, Iceland and a cousin Lara Miner of East Haven. Mom was predeceased by her sisters Maya and Asta, and brothers Ludvig, Sigurdur, Gunnar and Hjalmtyr, and daughter-in-law Linda K. Callaghan. Our family welcomes friends to a Celebration of Asdis’ life at the Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 34 Beaver Rd.
, Wethersfield, Thursday, July 5, 2018 from 4-6pm, with words of remembrance at 6pm. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. We wish to extend our thanks to the magnificent staff on 5-1 and 8-1 at Saint Francis Hospital for the compassion and warmth shared with Mom.
Instead of donations and flowers, Mom’s wish would be for all of us to practice daily random acts of kindness and remember that every day is a precious gift. To extend online condolences and/or share a memory, please visit farleysullivan.com.
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