Katherine Mary Knoll-O'Connell

Katherine Mary Knoll-O’Connell, 55, of Covington, LA, passed away on Thursday, April 3rd, 2025, with her family by her side after a brief illness.  She was born in New Jersey but moved to Thorndale, PA, at a young age.  There, she graduated from Coatesville Area High School.  After graduation, she moved to Louisiana with her parents and met the love of her life, Mark, with whom she shared 25 years of marriage.  Together they had two beautiful children, Kara and Ryan.  Kathy worked for Office Depot for over 20 years and served as a store manager for the last six years.  Kathy was deeply loved by all who knew her.  She welcomed everyone with open arms, a radiant smile, and that unmistakable laugh that could light up an entire room.  Always the organizer and planner, Kathy brought a sense of calm and order to both her personal and professional life.  She had a unique gift for handling even the toughest situations with grace, compassion, and unwavering strength.  She was the glue that held people together — the one who always put others before herself. Kathy would go out of her way to help anyone in need, never expecting anything in return. Her warm hugs had a way of making everything feel okay — as if she could take all the sadness in the world and carry it away, if only for a moment.  Her presence was a comfort, her heart endlessly generous, and her love a constant in so many lives.

She was part of a large and loving family.  Kathy was preceded in death by her mother, Carol Knoll; grandparents, Christ and Ann Kurelja; her uncle, Anton Kurelja; and her aunt, Barbara Wright.

She is survived by her husband of 25 years, Mark O’Connell of Covington, LA; her son, Ryan O’Connell of Covington; her daughter, Kara O’Connell of Hammond; her father, Edwin Knoll of Covington, LA; her brother, Anton Knoll and his wife Kathleen of Kernersville, NC; her sisters, Jennifer Hernandez and her husband Chet of Downingtown, PA, and Stephanie Knoll of Covington, LA.  She is also survived by her beloved nephew and nieces: Corey Hernandez, Ronnie Hernandez, Camryn Hernandez, and Alex Knoll, all of whom loved her dearly.

Kathy had a close circle of dear friends with whom she shared many good times — swimming, getting her nails done, and simply enjoying life.  She was part of a large and loving family.  Her surviving aunts and uncles include Chris Kurelja of Estes Park, CO; Patricia Matteson of Loveland, CO; Ann Gumby of Midlothian, VA; Mary Marshall of Bath, PA; Elizabeth Kurelja-Engel of Estes Park, CO; Peter Kurelja of Red Rocks, PA; and John Kurelja of Bloomsburg, PA. She also leaves behind many cousins scattered across the country.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home of Covington, La.

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