Obituary of Johanna Odenkirchen Killoy

Johanna Odenkirchen Killoy died peacefully at her home on Wednesday morning, August 18, 2021, at the age of 92. She was born on October 27, 1928 in Altenbamberg, Germany to Apollinaris and Paula Odenkirchen. At the age of two, along with her mother and older siblings, she immigrated to the United States, entering at New York, NY. The family then traveled to Charleston, SC to join their father, who had come in advance to secure a home. Educated in the Catholic parochial schools of Charleston, Johanna graduated from Bishop England High School. She then enrolled at the College of Charleston, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1947, and obtained her Master of Science in 1950 from the University of South Carolina. In February 1952, Johanna married William James "Bill" Killoy and together they built a life and raised their large family in Columbia, SC until his death in 2000.

A lifelong student and teacher, Johanna’s career spanned close to 50 years and included teaching positions at St. Joseph Catholic School, Cardinal Newman High School, St. Andrews Middle School and Dreher High School. A source of great pride for her, Johanna was a legend in South Carolina science education. She was a founder of the South Carolina Science Council [SC²] and served on the executive board as an officer for several decades. In 2019, Johanna was presented with the Catalyst Award, the highest honor given by the organization. She was also honored on several occasions for her service to The South Carolina Science Academy. 

A role model for her students and colleagues, she continued her own education throughout her career at prestigious summer institutes. These included programs at University of California at Berkeley, the University of South Carolina and The College of Charleston. Following a month-long session at Princeton University, she was designated a master chemistry teacher by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. In October of 1983, she was the first recipient in South Carolina of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics for Teaching. This award was presented to her at The White House by President Ronald Reagan.

Johanna was a lifelong and devout member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, and was called to serve in many ways over the years. She served as a religious education teacher to third grade students and to new members of the Catholic faith and was an active member of The St. Joseph Women’s Society.

Above all, Johanna was most proud of her family. Predeceased by her parents; brother, Carl Odenkirchen; and sister, Doris Odenkirchen Heard (Harry); and her beloved husband, Johanna is survived by six children, 15 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and her sister-in-law, Stella Odenkirchen. She was much loved by her family and friends and will be missed most by her children, all of whom live in Columbia: Beth Killoy Barb (Michael); Joanne Killoy Mubarak (Philip); Karen Killoy Greiner (Mark); William Paul Killoy (Nell); Kevin Jude Killoy (Sue); and Michael Shawn Killoy (Beth). Her greatest hope was to leave a legacy of faith and faithfulness to be carried on by her family.

A rosary will be recited at 7:00am on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at St. Joseph Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held later that morning at 11:00am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, followed by burial at Greenlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive guests beginning at 1:00pm at a reception in the Ministries and Administration Building of St. Joseph Catholic Church, 3512 Devine Street. To view the service via livestream, please click here or the following link to participate:  

https://www.youtube.com/c/StJosephCatholicChurchColumbiaSC

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, or to the charity of one's choice.