Kay M. O’Brien

Duck- Kay O’Brien of Duck, NC, ended her earthly life on Sunday, May 1, 2016. Born April 8, 1941, to John William and Helen Spruill Melson in Columbia, NC, she is survived by her husband of nearly 53 years, Tom, her daughter Leigh and her husband Wayne Cole of O’Fallon, MO, granddaughters Elizabeth and Lexi, and her son John of Hockessin, DE.

She was an active member of All Saints Episcopal Church, Southern Shoresserving on the Healing Ministry, the Flower Guild, the Prayer Shawl Ministry, the annual Holly Days Christmas Bazaar and the After Dark program. For the past few summers, she organized church-sponsored covered-dish dinners at the Duck Fire Hall for lifeguards serving in Duck and Southern Shores.Prior to relocating from Wilmington, DE, to Duck, Kay worked for many years as an Office Manager at Delaware Family Center, volunteered at Contact Wilmington, and was involved with life at Immanuel Episcopal Church. She was a 1961 graduate of Peace College, Raleigh, NC.

Kay was an artist who enjoyed and thrived on whimsical creativity most of her life. She painted in oils, water colors and acrylics. She used feathers, glitter, and glue as part of her palate. Some of her art was sold locally at art shows and retail stores. She especially enjoyed painting pepper mills, toilet plungers, Christmas ornaments, unusual furniture and household items.  She had a zest for life and a repertoire of Southern witticisms, often colorful, which she shared with great frequency, especially to those who laughed with her. She loved her family deeply and treasured being called “Honey” by her granddaughters.

A service to celebrate her life will be held at 11:00am, Saturday, May 14, 2016 at All Saints Episcopal Church, 40 Pintail Trail, Southern Shores, NC 27949. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to All Saints Church in her memory. Those planning to attend the service are encouraged to wear bright colors to honor her painting style!
“Life is short and we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel with us. So be swift to love and make haste to be kind.”

Condolences to the family may be expressed via the on-line register at www.gallopfuneralservices.com.  Gallop Funeral Services, Inc. was entrusted with arrangements.