Kathleen M. O’Neill

Kathleen M. O’Neill, of Middletown, DE, and formerly of Newark, DE, passed away on Friday, February 6, 2026, at the age of 81.

Kathleen immigrated from Culdalee, Co. Sligo Ireland, initially to New York in 1965, before settling in Delaware shortly thereafter. Kathleen spent much of her career caring for children and the elderly. While she was often known to be strict and to the point, anyone that knew her, knew if you ever wanted someone in your corner, it was her. She had the unique “gift” of being able to tell you exactly where you went wrong, but was also the first one standing next to you to do anything and everything in her power to help make it right.

Katleen had a passion for gardening. You could always find her outdoors tending to her flowers, trees and lawn. Whether pushing the mower, or on her riding mower at the beach, she loved to be outside. It didn’t hurt that it helped her hold court with her friends and neighbors as they passed by. She also loved donating her time to her kids sports teams, running concession stands and fund raising from t-ball through high school football where many a kid affectionately called her Mom O’Neill, or just Mom. After she retired, she spent many years working with the Foodbank of Delaware preparing and distributing boxes to those less fortunate at the UAW Union Hall.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years Robert O’Neill, Sr. in 2012; parents, Mark and Nora (McGinty) Cunnie; and siblings: Martin, Kevin, Maureen and John. Kathleen leaves behind her three sons: Robert O’Neill, Jr (Dionne) of Townsend, Sean O’Neill of Middletown, and Thomas O’Neill of Woodside, NY; 7 grandchildren: Connor, Logan, Morgan, Erin, Ryleigh, Kayla, and Delaney; and the recent addition of her first great-grandson, Colson. Kathleen also leaves behind her sister, Evelyn Jennings (Jerry) of Hockessin; sisters-in-law, Margaret and Mary; and many nieces and nephews dotted across the US and Ireland.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 9 am until 10:30 am on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 275 East Main Street, Middletown, DE. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 am, following the visitation, at St. Joseph’s Parish, 319 E. Main Street, Middletown, DE. A committal service will begin at 2 pm on Thursday, February 26, 2026, in the chapel of Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE.

In lieu of flowers the family suggest making a donation in Kathleen’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Foundation, 225 North Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or online by clicking here; or to the Compassionate Care Hospice c/o Amedisys Foundation, 3854 American Way, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70816.