Kathleen O’Brien McNamara

On September 3, 2025, of Washington Twp. Age 97. Beloved wife of the late Jerome. Devoted mother of Colleen Dascenzo (Victor), Timothy McNamara (Lynn), Kevin McNamara (Erica), and the late Gregory McNamara. Loving grandmother of Mary, Ronnie, Misi, Michael, Sean, Christopher, Justin, Kaitlyn, Jaye, Sara, Lisa, Kieran, and the late Casey. Proud great-grandmother of Katie, Anthony, Abby, Amber, Kevin, Ronnie Jr., Tyler, Danae, Taryn, Devyn, Talon, Jordin, Tayanna, John, Nora, Eva, Hannah, Kerry, Christopher Jr., Michael, and Jamison. Cherished great-great grandmother of Coleson. Dear sister of Patsy Brandt (Jerry) and the late Edward, Agnes, Leonard, Jimmy, and Betty. Loved by many nieces and nephews.

Kathleen was born on October 20, 1927 in Baltimore, Maryland to parents Leonard and Marie (Bolger) O’Brien. She was the middle child of 7, with 3 brothers and 3 sisters.

The Depression hit while she was just a toddler. The O’Briens were a working class family, but her dad always had work as a machinist for Baltimore Transit. On payday, he would give each of his children 2 cents, which they would usually spend on candy at the corner store. She also fondly remembered that there was always fruit in the house, most commonly apples. For very special occasions, they would get oranges, which were a big luxury for the working class during that time in America.

Kathleen, her sisters, and their friends played together nearly every day, often in Carroll Park. Hopscotch, jump rope, tag, checkers, and paper dolls were popular. Her brothers and other boys in the neighborhood would join in during games of tag.

The television was invented right about the time Kathleen was born, but the family never owned one. Instead, they would huddle as a family around a radio in the living room and listen to news stories and radio shows.

As was not uncommon in working class families at that time, Kathleen had to leave school after 10th grade to help with the family finances. Other than taking some time off when her children were very young, she worked outside the home most of her teen and adult years.

Shortly after World War II ended, Kathleen married Jerry McNamara, who had entered the Navy right after he graduated from high school. They had 4 children together during the baby boom years.

As an adult, Kathleen liked riding bicycles, but never owned one until we all gave her one for her 50th birthday. She rode many miles and hours on the Atlantic City Boardwalk over the next 2 or 3 decades. As an avid reader, many books were read on the beach, too.

Learning and education were always important to her, so she started taking classes at night after work when she was 52. Eight years later, 60 year old Kathleen walked across the stage to accept her college degree. She had been working as a computer operator at Allied Chemical in Philadelphia for about 20 years at that point. With her degree, she took on a new role as an accountant for the company until retiring 7 years later. Learning new things continued until not long before her passing.

Family and friends are welcome to attend her viewing Friday, September 12^th 10:00 – 11:00 AM at St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church, 176 Stagecoach Rd., Washington Twp. Mass of Christian Burial 11:15 AM. Interment Gloucester County Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Williamstown.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Kathleen’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“A Life Well Lived Is Worth Remembering”