Kathryn Theresa O’Brien (née Purcell), 95, of Levittown, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on September 12, 2025. Born on August 30, 1930, in Park Place/Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania, she was the cherished daughter of Joseph and Molly Purcell.
She was the beloved wife of the late Michael O’Brien, with whom she shared many years building a beautiful life and family in Levittown. Together, they raised their children with love and devotion as original homeowners in the Vermillion Hills section. Kathryn and Michael also enjoyed trips to the Jersey Shore, creating memories that their children and grandchildren continue to treasure.
Kathryn was a proud and caring mother to Michael O’Brien (Anita), the late Patricia Ledbetter (Robert), Joseph O’Brien (Karen), and Maureen Sutterley (Gilbert). She instilled in her children the gift of cherishing their siblings as lifelong best friends.
Kathryn was the heart of her family, a proud grandmother to eleven grandchildren: Robert Ledbetter (Kathy), Janene Giezma (Greg), Kelly Ledbetter, Megan Dingler (Michael), Colleen Cardilla (Shane), Michael O’Brien (Kaitlyn), Stephanie Crowell (Zach), Holly Ledbetter, Joseph O’Brien (Devon), Erin Jeffers (Kolin), and Timothy O’Brien. In her eyes, her grandchildren could do no wrong, and she celebrated each of their accomplishments with pride and joy. She was also blessed with fifteen great-grandchildren who adored their “Nana.”
Kathryn was the devoted sister of William and Joseph Purcell, and the late Martin Purcell. She deeply treasured the bond she shared with her brothers, spending countless joyful hours together over meals and conversations at their favorite restaurants.
Kathryn will be deeply missed by her many nieces and nephews, to whom she was a loving “Aunt Kitty” and source of guidance and joy.
Family gatherings were the highlight of Kathryn’s life. She was known for hosting spirited celebrations, especially her beloved Christmas Eve party. She enjoyed the annual family reunion, where her relatives were brought together to sing, dance, and chant the Notre Dame fight song. Kathryn was proud of her Irish heritage and delighted in sharing it with her family. She especially loved preparing her famous ham and cabbage, a dish that became a cherished tradition at family celebrations. Her warmth, humor, and smile lit up every room she entered.
Kathryn was deeply devoted to her faith and her parish, St. Joseph the Worker, where she and her late husband Michael were among the founding families. Many generations of the O’Brien family were proud members of St. Joe’s, and Kathryn felt its absence deeply after the church’s closure in 2015.
A viewing for Kathryn will be held Sunday, September 21, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at James J. Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc., 2200 Trenton Rd, Levittown, Pennsylvania 19056. A secondary viewing will take place on Monday, September 22, 2025 from 9:30 AM to 10:20 AM at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 752 Big Oak Road, Morrisville, Pennsylvania 19067, followed by her funeral mass 10:30 AM. She will be laid to rest alongside her husband at Our Lady of Grace Cemetery, 1215 Super Highway, Langhorne, Pennsylvania 19047.
As the matriarch of her family, Kathryn leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and togetherness that will be cherished for generations to come.