Kathleen “Kay” Dolores O’Brien, 85 died on November 25, 2025 at her home of 7 years in Frederick, Maryland. Born on October 19, 1940, she was the daughter of Mary and Festus Heaney. She is survived by her three daughters, Therese O’Brien, Kathleen O’Brien Franks (Gary) and Nanci O’Brien Hamm (Jack); her four grandchildren Grant Franks, Griffin Franks, Reagan Hamm and Jackson Hamm; her sister Bernadette Kelly and many nieces and a nephew.

She was predeceased by her husband Gerard Joseph O’Brien; her parents Mary and Festus Heaney; and her sister Helen Donnelly.

Kay was born, raised and married in Brooklyn, NY. She moved to NJ for a few years and then to Derwood, MD in 1976. Although she left NY in her 20’s, she kept her New York accent until the end. She raised her family for the most part, in Derwood, Maryland and would spend many weekends and several summers on the Jersey Shore at their house in Avalon, NJ. Although she worked many years in banking, her greatest accomplishments were her 57 year marriage to her husband Gerry and her three daughters.

Kay had an incredible sense of humor and loved a good audience. She loved traveling the US and Europe with her husband and was always up for a girls trip or a cruise. Kay cultivated a special relationship with each of her 4 grandchildren and made a point to spend time with all of them as they grew up. She was deeply loved not only by her family, but also by many friends and neighbors. She will be deeply missed by many, but most of all by her three daughters.

A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 22, 2025 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 5843 Manor Woods Road, Frederick, MD 21703 and a luncheon to follow at her neighborhood Club House at Crestwood Village, 6902 Crabapple Drive, Frederick, MD 21703.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to T2T.org