Kathleen’s Obituary Kathleen O’Brien Beloved daughter of Robert O’Brien and Janet Mercer, Kathy was born with autism and Turner’s Syndrome, before doctors understood either condition. Without professional support, she was raised integrated and involved in family life. Kathy herself met life every day with love of learning, determination, routine and the things she loved. Those qualities, as well as support from family and teachers, saw her through a regular curriculum at school. She attended Sabin Grade School in Portland and graduated from Lake Oswego High School, class of 1974. She played clarinet in the Lake Oswego High School band, with a fierce competitiveness to advance chairs. She had a savant talent for the French language. She was active in the Beaverton Church of the Nazarene (Lighthouse Church) most of her adult life. There and elsewhere she attracted lifelong friends due to her caring, honest and loyal nature. Family and friends could expect phone calls from Kathy every day to check up on their well-being. She read the newspaper daily to keep up with current events, and was a passionate defender of justice for vulnerable people and animals. She was noted for her almost perfect recall of the days and dates of most events (as well as what everyone was wearing). She loved to recount facts about trains, the Gershwin brothers and favorite celebrities and shows. She had a list of favorite TV shows she watched every day. She loved her pets, shopping for clothes, the colors red and pink, and was fastidious about her personal and medical care. Nothing made her happier than family events, which she’d talk about for weeks in advance. She was unable to become the nurse she wanted to be, but became a devoted companion of elderly family and neighbors. Diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer in 2014, she was expected to live weeks or months. Instead, in classic Kathy spirit, she lived four and a half years more with the devotion of several wonderful caregivers including those at A Nurse’s Touch in Beaverton and, recovering enough to live a more independent life, at Rosewood Park Assisted Living in Hillsboro, all to whom the family is grateful. As an oncologist noted, she also lived far longer than most women with Turner’s Syndrome. Her love for life and loved ones was ferocious to the very end. Her last conversation after months of weak consciousness, was asking if individual family members were ok. She lived in the Portland metro area, as well as a number of years in California to live closer to the entertainment world. Kathy is survived by both of her parents and four siblings including E. O’Brien, D. O’Brien, S. Schroeder, and R. O’Brien. She is also survived by many cousins, nephews, nieces, their offspring and loving friends. Advancements in medical science, psychology and the availability of treatment through Care Oregon allowed her a longer life, and to be more engaged and fulfilled. Suggested places for donation to celebrate Kathy’s life are The Autism Foundation, Central City Concern in Portland, and The Oregon Humane Society. Read More
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Kathleen O’Brien October 03 1955 April 20 2019.
Duyck and VanDeHey Funeral Home
Death notice for the town of: Hillsboro, state: Oregon