A Glimpse into Catherine O’Hara’s Memorial: A Celebration of a Beloved Actress
Just over two weeks after the passing of beloved actress Catherine O’Hara, a friend offered a poignant look into the memorial service held to celebrate her life. Kelly Lynch, a fellow film star, shared a snapshot from the event, giving fans a brief but touching insight into how O’Hara was remembered.
On Monday, Lynch took to Instagram to reveal the program distributed to attendees at the celebration of life, which took place earlier this month. The program featured a youthful, black-and-white photograph of O’Hara. In the image, the “Schitt’s Creek” star is depicted in her younger days, dressed as a cheerleader in what appears to be a school sweater and a plaid miniskirt. Lynch, known for her roles in “Cocktail” and “Road House,” held up the program, capturing a moment that clearly held deep significance.
Lynch also shared a fragment of a poem by Raymond Carver, titled “Late Fragment,” which Carver reportedly composed as he was nearing the end of his life. The six-line poem offers a reflective sentiment, asking if one received “what you wanted from this life” and concluding that it was all worthwhile if one was loved. This literary addition underscored the deeply personal and reflective nature of the memorial.
Adding to the visual tribute, Lynch posted a still of O’Hara relaxing under a palm tree, overlooking Los Angeles while working on Seth Rogen’s series “The Studio.” Another image showed a much older O’Hara, smiling heartily in casual wear, sitting on the bumper of a Lincoln. These images, alongside the program, painted a picture of a life well-lived and a career celebrated.
Unveiling the Cause of Death
The sharing of these memorial details came shortly after the official cause of Catherine O’Hara’s death was revealed. The iconic actress, widely celebrated for her unforgettable roles in the holiday classic “Home Alone” and the hit television series “Schitt’s Creek,” passed away at the age of 71 on January 30th.
According to a report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office obtained by TMZ, O’Hara’s death was attributed to a blood clot in her lungs. The immediate cause of death was listed as a pulmonary embolism, with rectal cancer identified as the underlying condition. This marks the first public disclosure that the Hollywood luminary had been battling cancer.
Understanding Pulmonary Embolism
A pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a blood clot, typically originating in the leg or pelvis (a condition known as deep vein thrombosis or DVT), breaks loose and travels to the lungs. The Mayo Clinic outlines several key risk factors that can contribute to this serious medical event. These include:
- Surgery: Particularly orthopedic procedures, hip, or knee surgeries.
- Prolonged Immobility: Extended periods of sitting, such as long flights or car journeys, or prolonged bed rest due to hospitalization, can slow blood flow and increase risk.
- Cancer and its Treatment: Both the disease and its therapies can elevate the risk of blood clots.
- Pregnancy: Hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect blood clotting.
- Hormone Therapy: Including birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy, can increase clotting tendencies.
- Smoking: A well-established risk factor for various cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions.
Rectal cancer, as identified in O’Hara’s case, begins as a cellular growth within the rectum, which is the final section of the large intestine, extending from the end of the colon to the anus.
It’s also noted that earlier in her adult life, O’Hara was diagnosed with a rare condition called dextrocardia with situs inversus, where her heart was located on the right side of her chest.
Final Moments and Public Appearances
Following O’Hara’s death, her family stated that she had experienced a “brief illness.” Reports indicate that an ambulance was called to her Brentwood, Los Angeles home in the early hours of the morning of her passing, and she was described as being in a “serious condition” before her death at a local hospital.
An obituary was released by her husband, Bo Welch, and their sons, Matthew and Luke, shortly after which a private celebration of life was held. O’Hara’s last public appearance was on October 16th of the previous year at the Angel Awards, the signature gala for Upward Bound House, held at the Proper Hotel in Santa Monica.
A guest at the event shared with the Daily Mail that O’Hara appeared slender and that her face was “almost gaunt,” yet she retained her striking beauty. The guest described her as having a “touch of glam going on,” concealing her figure in a “bulky green pinstriped suit.” Despite any physical challenges, she was reportedly in “great spirits” and was “very friendly and upbeat and lovely.”
A Career Spanning Decades
Born in Toronto, Canada, Catherine O’Hara was one of seven children. Her early foray into acting began with a role as the Virgin Mary in a Nativity play. After leaving high school, she worked as a waitress at the Second City Theater in Toronto, where she encountered future collaborators like Dan Aykroyd and Joe Flaherty. She eventually joined the Second City company in 1974. O’Hara later reflected on her early stage experiences, admitting to feeling anxious and often using “insanity” as a fallback in improvisational performances, as it excused any dialogue.
Her career gained significant traction with a role on the sketch comedy show “Second City Television” (SCTV) in the 1980s. On SCTV, she became renowned for her masterful impressions of celebrities such as Meryl Streep and Brooke Shields.
O’Hara made her film debut in 1980 in “Double Negative,” alongside John Candy and Eugene Levy. Her career trajectory soared in 1988 with her iconic portrayal of Delia Deetz, the eccentric stepmother in Tim Burton’s blockbuster hit “Beetlejuice.” This was followed by another beloved role in 1990 as the mother of Macaulay Culkin’s character in the immensely popular “Home Alone.” O’Hara reprised her role for the sequel, “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” (1992), and later reflected on the first film as “a perfect movie.”
Her extensive filmography also includes critically acclaimed performances in “Best in Show” (2000) and “A Mighty Wind” (2003), as well as a return to her “Beetlejuice” character in the 2024 sequel.
In 2020, O’Hara received the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her masterful performance as Moira Rose in the critically adored sitcom “Schitt’s Creek,” co-created by Eugene and Daniel Levy. During her acceptance speech, which followed wins at the Golden Globes and SAG Awards, O’Hara expressed profound gratitude to Eugene and Daniel Levy for the opportunity to play a character who embraced her age and her authentic self.
Catherine O’Hara leaves behind a remarkable legacy in the entertainment world, remembered by her loving husband, Bo, and their sons, Matthew and Luke.
