Catherine O’Hara Honored in Funeral Service 2 Weeks After Death

by

Catherine O’Hara’s life was celebrated with lots of love. 

Friends and family gathered at St. Martin of Tours Church in Los Angeles on February 14th to remember actress and comedian, best known for her role in Home Alone, who passed away on January 30th after a short fight with cancer.

Actress Kelly Lynch mourned Catherine on Instagram, sharing a photo of the funeral program and a quote from the poem “Late Fragment” by Raymond Carver. She wrote, “Rest in peace darling Catherine.”

The poem asks, ‘Did you get what you hoped for in life?’ and the reply is, ‘I did.’ When asked what those hopes were, the response reveals a simple desire: ‘To feel loved, to know I was beloved on this earth.’

The pamphlet celebrating Catherine’s life features a photo of her as a teenager. She’s wearing a plaid skirt and sweater, smiling brightly with her hands cupped around her face.

Since Catherine’s recent passing from a pulmonary embolism, many of her close friends and coworkers have been sharing touching tributes. Macaulay Culkin, who first worked with her at age nine on the film Home Alone, posted a heartwarming photo showing him with Catherine both in the 1990s and at his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in 2023.

In a post on January 30th, Macaulay wrote a message to his mother, expressing his regret that he didn’t have more time with her. He shared his wish to have simply sat with her and said everything he wanted to, finishing with a loving farewell: ‘I love you. I’ll see you later.’

Actor Seth Rogen, who recently began working with Catherine Keener while she starred in his show The Studio (which earned her an Emmy nomination), was deeply saddened by the news of her passing and struggled to find the right words.

He admitted he was at a loss for words in his tribute on January 30th. He recalled telling O’Hara when they first met that he considered her the funniest person he’d ever seen perform.

The Superbad creator went on to emphasize that working with Catherine was “a true honor.”

He described her as incredibly emotional, kind, insightful, and giving, saying she inspired him to make their show the best it could be. He added that her death was heartbreaking and that everyone who knew her felt fortunate to have shared the world with such a special person.

Oh my gosh, the news about John just destroyed me. It wasn’t just losing David Rose, you know? Eugene Levy was absolutely heartbroken – John was like family to him, a friend he’d worked with for decades! It felt like losing a piece of his own heart, honestly. They had such a special connection, both on and off screen. It’s just… devastating.

“I’m truly heartbroken,” said the star of American Pie in a statement to People magazine on January 30th. “It was a privilege to know and work with the wonderful Catherine O’Hara for more than fifty years.”

Indeed, the comedians met each other before the world met—and fell in love with—them. 

Eugene reminisced about their journey, starting with their early days at Second City, then moving to SCTV, the films they made with Chris Guest, and finally, their six wonderful years on Schitt’s Creek. He shared that he deeply valued their professional partnership, but even more, their friendship, and expressed how much he would miss her.

For more stars who have shared their thoughts and love for Catherine, keep reading…

It was a true joy to work alongside Catherine O’Hara for so many years and witness her incredible talent. After spending over fifty years collaborating with my father, Catherine felt like family long before she played one on screen. It’s hard to imagine life without her, and I’ll always treasure the funny moments we shared. My thoughts are with Bo, Matthew, Luke, and all of her wonderful family.

This goes all the way back to before the first Beetlejuice movie. She’s been like a wife in my imagination, a playful rival, and a genuinely wonderful friend in real life. I’m really heartbroken. I’m going to miss her terribly, and I’m also thinking of Beau.

Mom, I didn’t realize time was so short. I wished I could have spent more time with you, just sitting and talking. I had so much left to tell you, even though I said I loved you. I’ll see you again someday.

I’m honestly at a loss for words. From the moment I met O’Hara, I thought she was one of the funniest people I’d ever seen. Home Alone actually inspired me to become a filmmaker, so working with her was a real honor. She was hilarious, incredibly kind, perceptive, and generous – she pushed me to make our show worthy of her talent. This is just heartbreaking, and we were all so fortunate to have her in our lives.

“Catherine, I love you… You were a special part of my life and after life.”

I’m absolutely devastated by the news of Catherine O’Hara’s passing. She was a truly unique and wonderful person, and her loss feels incredibly heavy. It’s hard to express just how much she will be missed.

She was more than just a famous artist, actor, and comedian. She truly represented the best of Canada – incredibly talented, brave, uniquely herself, and deeply caring. She brought joy to people around the world, and also had a gift for making them feel understood.

As an artist, she was a huge inspiration to me. She showed me what it means to represent your country with both skill and kindness, always remaining warm and humble.

I’m deeply saddened for her family, friends, and all who loved her, here in Canada and everywhere else.

It’s okay to feel sad right now, and please know that many others are feeling this loss with you. We’re all sharing in this grief. Rest peacefully, Catherine, and thank you for all you’ve done.

I’m so thankful I had the chance to tell her how much she meant to me – she truly inspired me, influenced my sense of humor, and helped me understand our work. I always thought of her as the best of the best, and I’m sure many actors felt the same. What was amazing was that she never seemed to tire of hearing it; she listened with grace, wit, and incredible kindness. I want to thank Jason Reitman for inviting me to the Film Independent LACMA reading, where I had the honor of working with her and seeing her genius firsthand. Being around her and watching her work was unforgettable. I’ll cherish every moment. Both during that reading and on the set of Away We Go, she was wonderful to everyone, from the director to the production assistants. She truly lit up a room – she was radiant, almost otherworldly. Her talent was unique; there’s never been anyone like her, and there never will be. She was a true genius and a beautiful person.

Catherine was an extraordinary person – kind, honest, intelligent, and had a wonderful sense of humor. She was strikingly beautiful, both inside and out, and possessed a remarkable spirit. Her work radiated her deep love for people, and she was uniquely treasured for her integrity, clear thinking, and wisdom. It’s easy to imagine her now with other great minds, sharing her incredible insights. We’re heartbroken here on Earth, especially because we needed her guidance now more than ever. May she rest in peace, dear friend.

Catherine O’Hara was a genuinely honest and true person, both in her work and in her personal life. She brought that authenticity to everything she did, and to her beloved family, Bo, Luke, and Matthew. We offer our heartfelt condolences and hope she finds eternal peace.

“Catherine O’Hara. The absolute greatest. Only 71. An angel. The funniest. This is shocking.”

Being near you was a gift, and I’m eternally thankful. The world feels a little dimmer now that you’re gone, but this fortunate world will always remember you. Forever and always, you were one of a kind. #CatherineOHara

I honestly never imagined I’d have the chance to work with Catherine O’Hara, and I certainly didn’t expect to become friends with her. I’m deeply saddened by her passing, but so thankful for the time we shared. Thank you, Catherine. I’ll always cherish our connection.

“Oh Catherine. You will be so so missed.”

“She was an all-timer. Her memory and work is a blessing. Rest peacefully.”

I’m still in shock and can’t accept that she’s gone. It’s incredibly painful to think about the loss of someone so vibrant and full of life, especially when she had so much more to offer. Saying goodbye feels impossible. She brought so much joy and laughter into our lives, and now the pain of losing that is overwhelming. Rest in peace. My heart goes out to her family during this difficult time.

Catherine O’Hara was a remarkably talented comedian, and it’s safe to say she was loved by many – perhaps by everyone.

This news is devastating. She was a truly wonderful person, a talented artist, and a joy to work with. I feel so fortunate to have directed, produced, and acted alongside her – she was becoming more incredible every year. My deepest sympathies go to Bo and her family.

“Absolutely heartbreaking. She was the kindest person in our business.”

Francesca was speechless after seeing her dad’s reaction on FaceTime, sharing a photo and saying she was completely heartbroken and in disbelief.

It’s incredibly sad to lose such a talented and wonderful person. She was effortlessly funny, kind, and genuine, bringing so much happiness to everyone around her. She will be greatly missed and served as an inspiration to all comedians and anyone who admired her incredible comedic timing. Every appearance she made was a perfect performance.

Oh my gosh, I’m absolutely devastated. Catherine O’Hara was just… everything! From when I first saw her on SCTV, to losing it laughing at Home Alone, and then, of course, Moira Rose on Schitt’s Creek? Iconic doesn’t even begin to cover it. She was a true Canadian treasure, and she just had this incredible way of being hilarious and genuinely heartwarming. She made so many of us laugh for years, and she really put Canadian comedy on the map. I’m sending all my love to her family and everyone who loved her work as much as I did. It just feels… empty without her brilliance.

“BEST OF THE BEST IN SHOW!”

“Legend.”

“Ugggg legend. No one funnier.”

“Nooo my most profound condolences.”

She was truly inspiring. Her comedy brought a special joy to everyone who watched her perform. May she rest in peace.

Read More

2026-02-18 22:48