It is with great sadness the family of actress Caitlin O’Heaney (aka Kathleen Helen Heaney) announces her peaceful passing on May 18, 2026, in Tarrytown, New York, at the age of 73.  Her dear friend, Peter Davis, was by her side.

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and raised in Whitefish Bay, Caitlin was passionate about acting from an early age.  At 17, she was awarded a full scholarship to The Julliard School’s Drama division. 

Caitlin worked extensively in theatre over the years, including on Broadway with Katherine Hepburn and Juilliard classmate Christopher Reeve.  Her television credits include the roles of Anna Marie Hollyhock in Norman Lear’s sitcom Apple Pie (1982), Sara Stickney White, the female lead in ABC’s Tales of the Gold Monkey (1982), in addition to numerous guest roles spanning the late 1970’s to the early 1990’s.

Caitlin is known among horror fans for her lead role as Amy Jensen in 1980’s cult classic He Knows You’re Alone.  She also appeared in Stephen Spielberg’s Three O’Clock High as the popular character, Miss Farmer.

Caitlin will be remembered for her keen wit, charming sense of humor, her notable beauty, and as a passionate environmentalist and animal rights activist.  In the early 90’s she joined GreenPeace, USA where she worked onboard ship as a cook’s assistant and deckhand. Over the years, Caitlin was mom-extraordinaire to an endless collection of rescue dogs, cats, her beloved horse, donkey, and even sheep.  She was inspiring in her commitment to always do her best to leave the lightest footprint on this planet as possible.  One of her proudest moments was being part of Beacon, NY’s World Water Day Celebration in 2010 where she performed her original, anti-war, environmentalist song titled “Who Have We Freed?” with singer/songwriter Pete Seeger.

Caitlin is survived by sisters Susan Maureen Norton Emrey (Robert Emrey) and Coleen Heaney Kennedy (Michael Juers), along with nephews Robert Lambeth, Patrick Norton (Katie Runyon), Kevin J Kennedy, Ryan Juers (Jennifer Juers) and great nephews Bradley J Kennedy, Nicholas Juers (Savanna Juers) and great nieces Myla Katherine Kennedy, Kayla Juers, Vanessa Juers and Naomi Norton.

Donations to animal welfare groups, your local animal shelter, or environmental organizations made in Caitlin’s memory would be greatly appreciated.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.