Kathleen “Kiki” M. O’Connell
SCARBOROUGH—Kathleen “Kiki” M. O’Connell, 69, died March 1, 2016, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House here. She was born in Boston on May 24, 1946, the daughter of Frederick and Kathleen (Brady) O’Connell. She spent her early childhood in Kennebunk and later moved with her family to Augusta.
She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Colby College in 1968. After graduation, Kiki taught school in Turkey and Ellsworth, Maine, and later earned a master’s degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Explaining her stint at Fletcher, she once commented that she thought “diplomatic immunity sounded fun.”
Kiki began her writing career as a reporter for a daily newspaper, the Biddeford-Saco Journal (later the Journal Tribune), in Biddeford, where she worked from 1974 to 1979. She quickly learned what makes a good story and used that skill brilliantly in her later career as a content director for Chellis, Conwell & Gale Advertising, International Marketing Council Inc., and most recently, Vreeland Marketing & Design. In between, she worked as a senior writer for Cole Haan/Nike for 14 years.
An incredibly creative and intelligent writer, Kiki developed print, web, and broadcast material for clients ranging from local Maine firms to international professional services and global footwear companies. She became an icon of elegance and style among her clients, coworkers, and friends.
She became a Buddhist in the late 1980s and traveled on a pilgrimage to India and Nepal. For many years she held a leadership role at Vajra Vidya Portland Buddhist meditation center, where she also taught introductory meditation classes.
Kiki was an adventurer, who traveled to Italy, Panama, London, Louisiana, Memphis (where she danced in the street), and other locales. With friends Stew and Midge Vreeland, she bought and renovated a house in the Italian village of Panicale, where she spent many happy times. At age 40, she swam in the Peaks to Portland Swim to Benefit Kids. In her 60s, she accompanied her uncle on a round-the-world cruise and studied sailing on an all-women weeklong cruise in the Caribbean.
An only child, Kiki cared for her mother with loving tenderness during the last years of her life. A gentle, gracious, and loving soul, Kiki attracted a wide range of friends, who nurtured her during her life and cared for her during her months-long battle with lymphoma. Her friends formed a flower brigade, filling her hospital and hospice rooms with fresh flowers. In her final days, she expressed gratitude for having had such a good life with so many wonderful friends.
Much gratitude is extended to the staff and volunteers at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House for their compassion and care.
Kiki is survived by one aunt, numerous cousins, and many loving friends. A memorial service will be held in May.
Arrangements are entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton. Online condolence messages can be submitted at the funeral home's website, www.mainefuneral.com
Memorial contributions may be made to the Himalayan Children’s Fund, P.O. Box 15644, Beverly Hills, CA 90209 (www.rinpoche.com/hcfindex.htm) or to a charity of one’s choice.