Kathryn J (Foley) O'Neill

Kathryn J. O’Neill, 76, of Natick died on January 21, 2023 at UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester following a brief illness. Kathy was born in Boston, MA on September 17, 1946 to the late Robert and Alice Foley. Kathy was raised in Southborough, MA and is a graduate of Southborough High School.

Kathy married her beloved husband Richard J. O’Neill in 1969 and made their home in Allston, MA. There, Kathy and Rick welcomed their sons, Richard Jr and Michael. In 1976, the family moved to Natick and later welcomed their third son, Kevin. While her children were young, Kathy waitressed at Russ’ Lunch in downtown Natick with the support of her best friend Peg Potter. Alternating shifts, Kathy and Peg watched the children in both families, creating a life-long bond for the O’Neill brothers and Tom, Kevin and Christine Potter.  Later, Kathy worked as an analyst for the Department of Defense at the Natick Army Labs. Kathy worked for the Department of Defense until her retirement.

Kathy valued her extended family and friends and the time she spent with them. Some of her favorite times were summers in York Beach, Maine and time spent with the extended O’Neill family at Humarock Beach. Kathy maintained a close relationship with her siblings and enjoyed many years at the Cape with her sister Pauline and her family. Kathy always brought life and laughter to any gathering. She enjoyed kicking off her shoes and dancing to Elvis and other artists from her youth alongside Peg and her sister-in-law Kathy Astapoveh. Every holiday and event was cause for a celebration and Kathy shared her enthusiasm and generous spirit with those that she loved. 

Kathy’s greatest joys came from spending her time with her immediate family. With her husband Rick Sr, they bought a home on the Cape and loved it when it was filled with the family and laughter of grandchildren. Kathy and Rick enjoyed visiting their favorite restaurants and spending time together and chatting with others. Kathy was a loving and devoted mother to Rick Jr, Mike, and Kevin and a welcoming and supportive mother-in-law to their wives Amy, Jenn, & Jen. Kathy cherished every moment spent with her five grandchildren; Jack, Colin, Parker, Kaelin & Braeden taking them all on fun adventures to the Natick Mall or the Cape Cod Pirate Museum, always accompanied by a special treat on the way home. 

Kathy was a devoted sister to Pauline & James O’Malley, the late Robert Foley, John and Lori Foley, Sheryl and Ron Johnson, the late Laurie Duggan, the late James Perry and his wife Gina, Edward and Linda Foley, Lorraine and Stephen Williams, Patty Foley, and James and Leslie Foley. Kathy was the beloved daughter-in-law of the late Joseph and Ethel O’Neill. She was also the sister-in-law of the late Joseph O’Neill and his wife Joan O’Neill, Robert & Jean O’Neill, the late Paul O’Neill and Kathy & Richard Astapoveh. 

Funeral will take place at the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park St., on Friday, January 27, 2023, at 12:00 pm. Private burial to take place at a later date. Visiting Hours will be held on Thursday, January 26, 2023, from 4-8 pm. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Kathy’s name to the Alzheimer's Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Rd, Waltham, MA. 

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