OTEGO - Kathleen Margaret Shiel O'Hara, of Otego entered into eternal rest on April 16th, 2012.


Born in Syracuse, NY on October 5, 1945, Kathleen was the fourth child and first daughter of Margaret Hammond Shiel and James Henry Shiel.


Kathleen graduated Windsor Central School, Windsor, NY and State University of New York at Oneonta, NY. While a student at S.U.C.O., Kathleen met her life partner Thomas Patrick O'Hara, Jr. on October 19, 1966. They were united in marriage June 29, 1968 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Kirkwood, NY. Thom predeceased Kathleen on March 4th, 2008.


Kathleen taught kindergarten at Perry Browne Elementary in Norwich, NY and second grade at Valleyview Elementary in Oneonta. After the birth of their son, Grady Thomas O'Hara, on October 30th 1971, the new family later moved to the home they built in Otego. On January 7th 1974, their precious daughter Margaret was born as the final addition to the family.


Kathleen is survived by her son, Grady Thomas O'Hara, his beautiful wife, Jenny Falk of Oneonta; her beautiful daughter, Maggie Hudson and her husband, Kevin Hudson, Commander, USN of Norfolk, VA; her three beloved grandchildren, MaryClaire Delores Hudson, 11, Oliver Patrick Hudson, 10, and Alexander O'Hara Hudson, 6, all of Norfolk VA. She is also survived by 5 brothers, 3 sisters and 20 nieces and nephews.


Kathleen was a member and former President of the board of directors of the Harris Memorial Library in Otego. She was also a parishioner of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Oneonta.


Kathleen had many friends throughout her life, and she was especially blessed with the friendship of her college roommates. She spoke everyday in her final months, of how blessed she felt to have so many friends by her side, too numerous to name, but the support of both new and long time family friends kept her spirits high.


Kathleen loved living in upstate New York, both for its beauty and the strength and character of its residents. Her greatest loves were traveling the country and the world and visiting her children and spending time with her grandchildren.

Calling hours will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 19, 2012 at the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, Oneonta.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 3 p.m., Friday, April 20th at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 39 Walnut St., Oneonta, with the Rev. David Mickiewicz, as celebrant.

At the request of her late husband, Kathleen will be cremated so that her ashes may be co-mingled with his, united together again, eternally in the Kingdom of God.

Expressions of sympathy may be made at, www.lhpfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are under the guidance of the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta.