Kathleen O'Neill

Kathleen Celeste Bittner O'Neill died peacefully at home on May 8, 2008, after a hard fought two year battle against cancer. She was born June 9, 1953 in Brattleboro, VT of Edward H. and Anne Elizabeth Hickey Bittner, the fourth of seven brothers and sisters. She began her education at St. Michael's in Brattleboro. Later, after her family moved to Kelly Station in Duanesburg, Kathleen attended Jefferson School in Rotterdam, then St. Josephs in Schenectady, and she graduated from Schalmont High School in 1971. She later earned a nurse's aide certificate from Fulton-Montgomery Community College. Kathleen married Timothy J. O'Neill on April20,1974 at Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church in Delanson NY. In her earlier years, Kathleen was employed as a mail delivery girl at the Schenectady G.E. plant. She was then home full time until both her girls were in school. She later was employed as a food service worker for Duanesburg Schools, then for Scotia-Glenville Schools. She was employed for one year at Scotia-Glenville as a classroom aide. She was last employed as a home health aide. Kathleen was a hard and diligent worker, both on the job and at home, not afraid to get her hands dirty. She did most of the yard work around the house, tending to the flowers, mowing the grass, raking the leaves, and helping shovel snow during the winter. The next door neighbor commented that, if Tim was out doing yard work, then Kathleen must not be feeling well. She was a good cook, making wonderful pasta and macaroni salads, and a great lasagna. Kathleen was a communicant of St. Margaret of Cortona Roman Catholic Church and a long time member of the Rosary Altar Society .She was a true Christian who lived her faith as a kind, gentle, compassionate and honest woman. She was a person who quickly forgave and then forgot. She had a beautiful and genuine smile. She was grateful to her friends Lorraine Endries and Peggy Hohenstein and to father Dennis Murphy, the three of whom visited regularly and brought communion. Kathleen was very close to her aunt Sister Ruth Bittner. She firmly believed that, in death, she would be reunited with her beloved parents, her Aunt Katie, and her two miscarried angels. Throughout her life, Kathleen remained a country girl who went barefoot April through October. She went out on the evening to marvel at the night sky. She delighted when the tulips came up, and later when the daffodils bloomed. She loved to see geese flying in formation, believing it to be a sign of good fortune. Kathleen had common sense in all matters. She was an inner directed person who would not compromise her morals or values. She was a frugal person, always putting aside some savings no matter how lean times were. She knew the value and joy of reading and passed those on to her daughters. She was so proud of her two girls and their accomplishments. She was adventurous, over the years visiting Ireland, Great Britain, Canada, Florida, Maine, Nevada and she made a yearly pilgrimage to St. Anne's shrine in Quebec. In the last few years, she learned to paddle a canoe and kayak and she studied ballroom dancing. Kathleen was grateful for the wonderful care given her by Community Hospice of Schenectady during her final days. Kathleen was predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her husband Tim and daughters Celeste L. O'Neill of Glenville NY , and Mary Kathleen O'Neill of New Port Richey FL. Also by brothers Tom (Barbara) Bittner of Delanson, NY, Larry (Maria) Bittner of Rotonda West, FL ,Peter (Jackie) Bittner of Glenville NY, and sisters Mary (David) Kroll of Glenville, NY ,Rita (Gene) Dobies of Ballston Lake, NY and Regina (Tom) Plourde of Rotterdam, NY. Funeral services will be held Saturday morning May 17,2008 at 9:15am at Bond Funeral Home, Broadway & Guilderland Avenue, Schenectady, NY followed at 10am at St Margaret of Cortona Church, Main St, Rotterdam Junction, NY where a mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Calling hours will be held at the funeral home on Friday evening from 5 to 8 pm. Internment in St Cyril's Cemetery, Rotterdam, NY Contributions may be made in Kathleen's memory to Community Hospice, 1411 Union Street, Schenectady, NY 12308