Oral History Project by Catherine Fahey

What is your biggest regret?

137780 — 2025-01-09 17:13:16 UTC

I do not really have any big regrets. One small one would be that I wish I had stayed with marketing instead of majoring in English.

If you could give a younger person life advice, what would you say to them?

137780 — 2025-01-09 17:13:59 UTC

Anytime I give my children advice it would be that its going to be fine and just do it. If you are going to do something go all in. Take the trip. Do the things. Be brave.

Who was someone that inspired you? Talk a little about this person.

137780 — 2025-01-09 17:14:08 UTC

I have had great bosses over the years and I feel really grateful for all of them. One that pops into mind would be Steven Mucumber. I worked with him when I worked in marketing and he was the absolute nicest person. I remember going out to lunch with a friend of mine at a restaurant we often went to and he bought our lunch for us. I found this to be so thoughtful and it really left a lasting impression on me.

Tell me a funny story of something that happened to you.

137780 — 2025-01-09 17:14:21 UTC

I was at a work Conference in the late 90s in Albany, New York. I was joining some coworkers for dinner, and we got into the elevator to go down to the lobby. We stopped at a floor, and several gigantic security guards walked in along with Puff Daddy (now P Diddy). There were so many of them trying to get in the elevator that the elevator started to weigh down. My coworker, sort of yelled at them that they shouldn’t be getting on the elevator. They of course ignored us, and we made it down to the lobby. When we walked out of the elevator, we couldn’t believe what was happening! There were hundreds of people lined up, waiting for Puff Daddy to get out of the elevator and walk to the place. The concert was performed there, it was the start of his tour. I just didn’t know who he was at the time. There were tons of people taking pictures. I think people thought we were part of that group! We later found out that it was Puff Daddy. Then later that night, I was trying to get some sleep and huge parties were going on on my floor at the hotel. I was on one of the top floors, and at one point someone started banging on my door. It was loud, and I was fearful of what was even going on. I called the front desk and told them to call the police that there was this huge party going on, and it made me nervous and uncomfortable. That was my experience.

What do you think peoples’ first impressions are of you?

137780 — 2025-01-09 17:14:50 UTC

That I talk a lot. End of story. I would also say that people find me to be kind and caring.

Tell me about a passion or interest you have. When did you become interested in this? What should we know about it?

137780 — 2025-01-09 17:14:58 UTC

I am currently interested in the book I am writing. I had a brain aneurysm and brain bleed and so it talks about my journey to recovery because it took a long time to get to the point where I am now. I am the 2.0 version of the self I am today. It also interviews other brain aneurysm survivors and their stories. It is fascinating the stories they tell me. I am in awe of the things they have gone through. To find people to interview I joined a brain aneurysm foundation located in Philly. People from all over the world join this group. Some are survivors and some are caretakers. I am now an ambassador for the group and represent their organization. I am happy to talk with people about the prevention of brain aneurysms and help them with their recovery. I also help with their events and raise money.

Talk about a song that captured a specific memory in your life.

137780 — 2025-01-09 17:15:06 UTC

My husband and I picked a song for our wedding and it was called ¨Love Is All Around¨. However, we liked another song better by Van Morrison. The only reason we picked ¨Love Is All Around¨ is because we could dance better to it, but now we just say that our wedding song was ¨These Are the Days¨. So now if I hear either, it reminds me of my wedding.

Tell me about a valued possession and why it means something to you.

137780 — 2025-01-09 17:15:15 UTC

A very valued possession of mine is my father's plant. He passed away about two years ago and now my daughter Cate has the plant which is a Christmas Cactus and it reminds me of him whenever I see it.

137780 — 2025-01-10 00:48:13 UTC

137780 — 2025-01-10 00:50:43 UTC

137780 — 2025-01-10 00:52:28 UTC

137780 — 2025-01-10 00:52:34 UTC

137780 — 2025-01-10 00:53:24 UTC

137780 — 2025-01-10 00:54:08 UTC

137780 — 2025-01-10 00:54:35 UTC

137780 — 2025-01-10 00:55:12 UTC

137780 — 2025-01-10 00:55:47 UTC

137780 — 2025-01-10 00:56:43 UTC

POI: Colleen Fahey

137780 — 2025-01-10 01:32:05 UTC

Colleen is my mother. She was born in Syracuse, NY, and lived there most of her life until she, my father, and two brothers moved to PA in 2006. This means I'm the only one in all of my family to be born in PA. She went SUNY Oswego in Oswego NY where she studied English and got her master's in teaching from Le Moyne College. She taught for many years until she started her own skincare business. In 2021, she suffered a brain aneurysm and brain bleed and was hospitalized. Now, she has recovered and is writing a book about her experience. She is also teaching at Foglesville Elementary.

¨These are the Days¨ - Van Morrison

137780 — 2025-01-10 04:01:54 UTC

The song that my husband and I say is our wedding song.

137780 — 2025-01-10 04:06:29 UTC

137780 — 2025-01-10 04:31:59 UTC

Drawing of me and my Husband on our Wedding Day

137780 — 2025-01-10 04:52:03 UTC

Quote

137780 — 2025-01-10 04:54:22 UTC

¨ A really strong woman accepts the war she went through and is ennobled by her scars.¨ - Carly Simon