Kathleen (Keane) O’Brien of Newton, NH and Naples, FL (and formerly North Reading, MA) passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on December 11, 2021. Kathleen (Kathy) was the loving wife of Daniel K. O’Brien with whom she had recently celebrated 56 years of devoted marriage. She was the cherished mother of Kristine (O’Brien) Davis, Julie (O’Brien) Fennell, and Daniel O’Brien. She is predeceased by her father Thomas J. Keane Sr and her mother Pauline G. Keane formerly of Malden.

Born on October 10, 1943 at Somerville Hospital, Kathy attended the Saint Clement School in Medford, Immaculate Conception School in Malden, and graduated from Malden Girls Catholic High School in 1961. She made many lifelong friendships while working at her first job at F.W. Woolworths in Medford, and then John Hancock, New England Telephone Company and Star Market in North Reading, MA.

She lived 38 wonderful years in North Reading where she was involved with many of her children’s activities including the Brownies and Girl Scouts, and often volunteered as a room mother at school.

Kathy blessed all she met with her most generous heart and wonderful sense of humor. She will be remembered by all for the smiles and joy she brought to every life she touched. Kathy was blessed with an ability to instantly connect with others and make them feel at ease. She was a gifted artist originally crafting in ceramics and floral arrangements. Later in life her talent blossomed into drawing and painting. She was full of joy when she was creating beautiful artwork and she will be remembered as a true artist.

Kathy was a lifelong Boston Bruins fan with a special fondness for Bobby Orr. She also enjoyed reading, listening to the Everly Brothers, Johnny Cash, and Irish music especially The High Kings.

She loved the beach particularly at sunset both in Florida and New England. Watching the waves crash along the rocks at Salisbury Beach State Reservation was one of her favorite activities, along with foliage drives in Autumn.

She was happiest in life whenever she was surrounded by her loving family. Heaven on earth was spending the day with her husband Dan, her children, grandchildren, siblings and friends.

In addition to her husband Dan, she is survived by her 3 children Kristine (O’Brien) Davis and her husband Joseph Davis of North Reading; Julie (O’Brien) Fennell and her husband David Fennell of Auckland, New Zealand; and Daniel O’Brien and his wife Alicia (Moore) O’Brien of Dedham, MA. She will always be lovingly remembered by her 6 grandchildren Patrick and Erin Davis, Shaun Fennell, and Raelyn, Maeve and Mila O’Brien.

Also survived by her siblings Thomas J. Keane of Billerica (formerly of North Port, FL and Stoneham, MA); Maureen McDermott and her husband Bob of Chester, NH; Christine McNeil of Malden, MA and Martin Keane and his wife Marie of Atkinson, NH, and several nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visiting hours will be between 4:00 to 8:00 PM this Friday, December 17 at Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street in North Reading. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Saint Theresa’s Church in North Reading, 63 Winter Street, North Reading, the following day on Saturday, December 18 at 10:30 AM. Masks are encouraged but not required in the Funeral Home. At St. Theresa’s Church masks must be worn inside the church.  Thank you

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Jude’s Hospital in memory of Kathleen O’Brien. (www.croswellfuneralhome.com)