Obituary of Kathleen Parker O'Connor

     Kathleen (Kate) Parker O’Connor passed away May 7th, 2021 in Aldie, VA of Alzheimer’s Disease. She was 75. For years people could find Kate on the porch with a happy hour drink in hand telling stories about her early life in Ann Arbor, Michigan and schooling at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School from first through twelfth grades. She was best known throughout her life for her infectious, clever sense of humor. Bringing a smile and a little joy to anyone and everyone was her vocation.

     Kate attended Northern Virginia Community College and George Mason University, where she earned a Bachelor of Individualized Study with a focus on Gerontology, an ideal match for someone who thrived on working with seniors and listening to their life stories. She volunteered with various organizations and was a founding board member of the Harbor Housing for seniors in Herndon, VA. Kate worked in University Alumni Relations and at a higher education association. Then for three different airlines, retiring as a concierge in the Red Carpet Club at Dulles Airport. It gave her the chance to help people and to travel—two of her great pleasures. 

     Enjoying the outdoors, she played soccer, golf, tennis and ran 10ks, and hosted  the inevitable gatherings afterward on Elden Street. Kate’s curiosity and vitality also found an outlet in arts and crafts. She fashioned jewelry, sewed dolls, shaped pottery, painted, and photographed. She loved process of making things and enjoyed and admired the creativity of others.

     Kate loved her family and was enormously caring for their well-being.  She was also interested in her family history and was determined as she read through records and resourceful as she explored churches and schools in Ireland as she explored her past. She is survived by her brother, Richard Parker, and sister, Mary Ann Miley; her husband of fifty-five years John O’Connor, daughter Lisa (Ray) Favis, son Colin (Katie) O’Connor, and grandchildren Jack and Ellie Favis and Delaney and Brogan O’Connor (who affectionately know her as Lola); as well as  numerous in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews and many close caring friends.  Two nephews preceded Kate’s passing, Rick Miley and Evan O’Connor. They are the right spirits to meet her; she’ll have a good time.

     A celebration of Kate’s life will be held in mid-June.  Continuing to care for others, particularly seniors, comes full circle: Donations in Kate’s name can be made to “Loudoun County” and sent to the Loudoun County Leesburg Adult Day Care Center, 16501 Meadowview Ct., Leesburg VA 20175. (Such old school forms of giving would please Kate).