Kathleen "Kate" O'Hara

Kathleen "Kate" O'Hara, 72, passed away unexpectedly on March 26, 2024. Kate was born on July 8, 1951, in Pensacola, Florida. She spent most of her life in Pittsburgh PA, before moving to Virginia Beach over 20 years ago. Kate retired in 2020.
After her retirement, Kate moved to Hickory NC in 2022 to be closer to some of her family. She loved the sunrises and sunsets on Lake Hickory. She relished her family time. Kate was able to spend more time with siblings, nieces, nephews, and grands. She loved family time on the lake, but she especially loved the ocean and its great power. Kate was on vacation in Daytona Beach Shores enjoying the smell and sights of the ocean, the beautiful sunrises, and the flight of the pelicans, where she passed away in her sleep early morning on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.
Kate was a quiet, independent, and caring person. She was known for her dedication and loyalty to her friends and family. Kate was a devout Catholic and found solace in her faith at St. James in Pittsburgh, PA, St. John the Apostle in Sandbridge Beach, VA, and St. Aloysius in Hickory, NC.
For most of her career, Kate devoted herself to the insurance and financial services industry until her retirement in 2020.
Kate was the first born of 15 children and she was pulled into being the backup parent for so many of her siblings. Although she did not have children of her own, she had probably changed more diapers than most parents do in a lifetime. Kate was fiercely proud of, and caring for, her many nephews and nieces, especially when they appeared to struggle, she always included them in her daily prayers twice.
She was a Pittsburgh sports enthusiast, especially passionate about the Panthers, Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates. Kate enjoyed discussing games, plays, players and the outcome with her family and friends. In addition, she was an accomplished embroiderer, having crafted over 45 quilts for her nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews. Kate had a extraordinary love for reading through her entire life. She could always recommend a great book and loved to talk about them.
Kate loved her dearest college friends of more than 50 years. Pat, Susan, and Nancy will miss their daily interactions with Kate, as their bond was unbreakable.
Kate will be missed by her surviving sisters Dani-Marie Jones, Shawn O'Hara, Nancy Bizon, Susan O'Hara, Kelly Weisenberg, Kristin O'Hara, and brothers James, Philip, Stephen, John, Andrew, Charlie, Matthew, and Joseph. Kate's legacy also includes 10 brothers/sisters-in-law and over 50 nieces, nephews, and grands alike.
Kate was preceded in death by her father, Philip T. O'Hara, mother, Joan G. Sathe, and brother-in-law James A. Jones.
Kate's wishes are being honored and her body is being cremated. Her ashes will be laid to rest in the location of her choice.
Kate, daughter, sister, Aunt and friend left this world too soon. Her infectious smile and laugh will be sorely missed by so many.

The Funeral Mass will begin at 10:30 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Lenexa KS. Luncheon will follow at 12:30 at the Amos Family Funeral Home in Shawnee. Following lunch, we will be celebrating Kate's life by sharing our memories and stories. Everyone is welcome to share and will have an opportunity to do so.

If you would like more information, please contact Susie O'Hara at sohara1967@yahoo.com or 954.401.2311 (text or call).
In lieu of flowers we request that a donation be made to:
The Philip and Joan O'Hara St John the Apostle Catholic School Scholarship
Donations should be mailed:
Tracey Dooley at St John's the Apostle Catholic School
1968 Sandbridge Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23456 and made payable to: St John the Apostle Catholic School. Please reference the scholarship name on your check. Please be sure to include Kathleen O'Hara's name on the memoriam information with your donation.
OR
to The Tunnel to Towers Foundation in Memory of Kathleen O'Hara
Your donation and dedication can be made:
Online: T2T.org. While making your donation, check the box to "dedicate my donation in honor or in memory of someone."
By mail: 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, New York 10306 Make your check out to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and mail it back with the completed donation form on the T2T website.
By calling: 718-987-1931 Call and speak with a member of their Donor Services team.
Please be sure to include the memoriam and dedication information with your donation.