Kay Marie O'Connell

Kay Marie (Newman) O’Connell passed away peacefully in her home in Richmond, Texas, on May 30, 2023, in the loving presence of her husband, Daniel O’Connell, following a brave battle with ALS. She was born on November 13, 1956, in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of the late James and Margaret Newman. Raised in Detroit, Kay was armed with a quick wit, a charming sense of humor, an optimistic outlook on life, strong interpersonal skills, and an ability to express herself well.

In 1974, Kay graduated summa cum laude from Our Lady Star of the Sea High School in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan. Focused, logical, open-minded, and somewhat driven with an excellent memory that grasped concepts and facts readily, Kay was also a member of the National Honor Society and her school’s drama club.

Following her graduation, Kay traveled to Germany to spend two years with her older sister, Diane McMillian, and her family who were stationed there at the time. While there, she square and round danced throughout Germany and other parts of Europe including a camping and dancing trip at the Berlin Wall. After becoming a round dance cuer, Kay joined the European Callers and Teachers Association. With an outgoing personality and a genuine acceptance of others, she easily made friendships with many callers, cuers, and dancers which she carried with her throughout her life.

After returning to Michigan, Kay spotted Daniel O’Connell playing pool across a crowded hall, they struck up a conversation over a pinball game, and they were inseparable from that moment. They were married on June 9, 1979, at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, in East Detroit, Michigan. Throughout their marriage, they’ve made their home in Houston, Phoenix, and Chicago, only to return to the greater Houston area which captured her heart long ago as did their former German shepherd/Labrador mix, Mindy.

Beginning her career as an accountant for Merrolis Chevrolet in East Detroit and then at a mortgage company in Houston, Kay was driven by an instinctively strong work ethic. A natural leader with a “take charge attitude,” Kay was well-suited to be a project manager later in life at America West Airlines, United Airlines, and Waste Management.

Working in the airline industry, Kay loved to travel the world with Dan and her family at friends at the drop of a hat. Whether cruising the seas on a ship or catching a flight to her favorite destinations like London and Paris, Kay enjoyed seeing the wonders of the world and all that the world had to offer with Dan always at her side.

After retiring from United Airlines in 2014, Kay and Dan moved to Richmond, Texas, where she worked for Waste Management in Houston until retiring again in 2018. A gifted problem-solver, Kay was able to bring teams together to meet common goals and won a variety of awards for her work throughout her career.

Having learned how to dance early in life, Kay enjoyed square, round, and ballroom dancing with Dan as her partner in all that life had to offer. An energetic and spontaneous spirit, affectionately known as “The Queen” among those who loved her best, Kay brought friends and family together for fun-filled celebrations. A natural at planning events, it’s little wonder that she was the original activities coordinator for the Ridge Escarpment Neighborhood of Del Webb Sweetgrass.

In addition to dancing, Kay appreciated a variety of music from George Strait to Celtic Thunder. She was an avid sports fan that was especially fond of cheering for the Dallas Cowboys and the University of Michigan. Go Blue!

Most importantly, Kay lived a life of deep gratitude grounded in her faith in Jesus Christ. A member of the River Pointe Church in Richmond, Texas, Kay’s faith inspired her to live a generous life exemplified in coordinating fundraisers for charitable organizations like the Helping Hands Food Pantry. Her faith sustained her throughout her life and especially in this past year.

Kay O’Connell is survived by her husband of over 43 years, Daniel O’Connell; sister, Margaret Diane McMillian; stepdaughter, Shannon Pokowski; stepson, Craig O’Connell; step-grandchildren, Alana Pokowski, Collin O’Connell, and Briann O’Connell; nieces and nephew, Dawn (Elbert) Dulworth, Lisa (John) Dowdy; Jim (Sarah) McMillian, Heidi (Bret) Swift, and several grandnieces and grandnephews.

An outgoing spirit, Kay made deep and lasting friendships everywhere she went. Whether it was her high school best friends, Penny (Ciaravino) Lowe and the late Lisa (Fiorella) Ippolito, or good friends from the communities where she lived including Jan and Sal Mele, Jan and the late Jim Lemkow, Mary Ellen and Barry Bowe, Anna Marie and Tom Lotti, Patsy and Glen Green, Marci and Gary Klimpel, Susan and Roger Rideau, Cynthia Stars, Katie and Cam Larson and many others, Kay cherished her friends and the bonds they shared. She will be greatly missed by all those who experienced her love and laughter in life.

A celebration of life will be held for Kay O’Connell on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at 2:00 pm at Memorial Oaks Cemetery, located at 13001 Katy Fwy, in Houston, Texas, 77079. She will be entombed in the Niche Library at the Texas Liberty Mausoleum at Memorial Oaks Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to the ALS Association of Texas.