Mary Kathleen ‘Kathy’ Slattery
February 18, 2025 at 5:18 p.m.
Mary Kathleen “Kathy” O’Connell Slattery, of Rochester, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her residence at the age of 69.
She was born on Oct. 10, 1955, in Peru, Ind. Part of a large family, she was number six of 10 children born to Lila Carmen Mull O’Connell and Thomas O’Connell. Kathy moved with her family to Warsaw in 1966 and graduated with the class of 1974 from Warsaw High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1978, graduating from IU-Fort Wayne, and worked as a CPA for many years.
Kathy met John Anthony Slattery, who was also an accountant, and they were married on May 6, 1989, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Warsaw. They were blessed to have shared 32 years of marriage, traveling and enjoying their family before John passed away on Aug. 27, 2021.
She was never afraid to try new things and later became a travel agent, which allowed her to travel the world. Over the years they lived in many states due to his job, and Kathy and John finally retired to Lake Manitou in Rochester, Indiana, in 2020 to be closer to her family. She was passionate about her politics and LOVED her country. Kathy volunteered for many PGA golf events over the years, and was a huge IU fan … she especially loved Bobby Knight. Kathy’s smiling face and kind heart will be missed by her family and many friends she leaves behind.
She will forever be missed and lovingly remembered by her three brothers: Thomas (Cindy) O’Connell III, Venice, Fla.; Patrick (Jonell) O’Connell, Warsaw; James O’Connell, Warsaw; and four sisters: Carolyn (Jon) Bumbaugh, Boyertown, Pa.; Laura Grow, Leesburg; Tammy (Randy) Barber, North Manchester; and Teresa O’Connell, Fishers. Also surviving is her stepdaughter, Jennifer L. Slattery, Long Beach, N.Y.; and step-granddaughter, Riley M. Slattery, Long Beach, N.Y. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John Slattery; brother, Michael Grant O’Connell in 1969; and her sister, Judith Howell in 1997.
Kathy’s life will be celebrated by her family with a service at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw. Friends and family may visit prior to the service from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A graveside service will follow at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw.
Memorial donations may be directed to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306; or to Folds of Honor, Department #13, Tulsa, OK 74182.
Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.
Mary Kathleen “Kathy” O’Connell Slattery, of Rochester, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her residence at the age of 69.
She was born on Oct. 10, 1955, in Peru, Ind. Part of a large family, she was number six of 10 children born to Lila Carmen Mull O’Connell and Thomas O’Connell. Kathy moved with her family to Warsaw in 1966 and graduated with the class of 1974 from Warsaw High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1978, graduating from IU-Fort Wayne, and worked as a CPA for many years.
Kathy met John Anthony Slattery, who was also an accountant, and they were married on May 6, 1989, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Warsaw. They were blessed to have shared 32 years of marriage, traveling and enjoying their family before John passed away on Aug. 27, 2021.
She was never afraid to try new things and later became a travel agent, which allowed her to travel the world. Over the years they lived in many states due to his job, and Kathy and John finally retired to Lake Manitou in Rochester, Indiana, in 2020 to be closer to her family. She was passionate about her politics and LOVED her country. Kathy volunteered for many PGA golf events over the years, and was a huge IU fan … she especially loved Bobby Knight. Kathy’s smiling face and kind heart will be missed by her family and many friends she leaves behind.
She will forever be missed and lovingly remembered by her three brothers: Thomas (Cindy) O’Connell III, Venice, Fla.; Patrick (Jonell) O’Connell, Warsaw; James O’Connell, Warsaw; and four sisters: Carolyn (Jon) Bumbaugh, Boyertown, Pa.; Laura Grow, Leesburg; Tammy (Randy) Barber, North Manchester; and Teresa O’Connell, Fishers. Also surviving is her stepdaughter, Jennifer L. Slattery, Long Beach, N.Y.; and step-granddaughter, Riley M. Slattery, Long Beach, N.Y. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John Slattery; brother, Michael Grant O’Connell in 1969; and her sister, Judith Howell in 1997.
Kathy’s life will be celebrated by her family with a service at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw. Friends and family may visit prior to the service from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A graveside service will follow at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw.
Memorial donations may be directed to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306; or to Folds of Honor, Department #13, Tulsa, OK 74182.
Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.