Kathryn Joan O'Neill

Kathryn Joan O’Neill, age 89, of Wilmington, DE, formerly of Elsmere, DE, went peacefully in her own home to join “her Jimmy” and her Mother in Heaven, surrounded by children and grandchildren on Wednesday, November 4, 2020.

Joan was born to James Williams and Lillian Alyce Brady.  She attended P.S. DuPont High School.  One of her first jobs was as Playground Teacher at Linden Avenue playground.  She is known to that generation of kids as “Teach”.  For many years, she managed Danforth Drug Store and retired from the State of Delaware Division of Revenue.

In November 1950, Joan married James W. O’Neill and together they raised four children.

Joan loved dancing to many genres of music from jitterbug to line dancing.  She was a devoted daughter, exemplary mother, ultimate grandmother and great grandmother, loving sister and aunt, and best friend.  Her home was open to everyone. She was a great listener, a shoulder to cry on, and always gave the best advice.  Always generous to a fault.  She was also a member of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality at Corpus Chrisi Church for many years, where she volunteered her time for Parish activities. She loved going to musicals at 3 Little Bakers and the Playhouse; has quite a pig collection; loved all things Irish and you could always count on her to show up with Irish potatoes on St. Patrick’s Day.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband, James W.; father, James; her mother, Lillian Alyce; and stepfather, William Mayew.

She is survived by her four children, Kathleen P. Ostrishko (Tom), A. Joanne McMahon (Donald), Kevin J. O’Neill (Michele) and Kimberly; her four grandchildren, T.J. Ostrishko (Cassandra), Kyle McMahon, Bryan O’Neill and Meghan O’Neill; great grandson, Logan Ostrishko; step great granddaughter Allie Cogan; her sister, Phyllis Gill; nieces and nephews; and “her dog” Jameson.

A special thank you to Jody and Chrisi for their loving and attentive care of our Mother.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network @ https://www.pancan.org/ways-to-give/ would be appreciated.

Service and burial will be private.

To offer condolences, please visit:

Gebhartfuneralhomes.com

302.798.7726

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