Kathleen A. "Kathy" (O'Brien) Spinney

Berwick, ME - It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Kathleen “Kathy” Anne (O'Brien) Spinney, 68, of Berwick, Maine. Born February 25, 1957 to William O'Brien and Doris (Crowell) in Lynn, MA, she was the youngest of 5. Her siblings and cousins were always there for her throughout her life, especially right up to when it was most needed. She was a graduate of Lynn Classical High School. Kathy married Thomas J. Greco in 1976, and together they raised their sons Tom and Adam in Barrington, NH. She was a creative and loving Mom, making Halloween costumes from scratch, sewing curtains or hand stenciling graphics onto the walls. Forever the energetic night owl, we are not sure how many times Tom and Adam woke up to a newly painted room in the house! She loved to pour her creative talents into everything she did. She was blessed to reconnect with her son Paul a couple of years ago, along with his wife Jaime, and daughters Shyla and Emme, who live in Colorado. Later in life, she reconnected with her 7th grade sweetheart, and they were married in 2016. Donny describes her as “the absolute love of my life” and the life they built reflected their love for each other, their family, and their friends. She instantly became Grammy to Samuel, raising him together with Donny in their home- “The Flatlander Retreat”- in Berwick. Kathy also gained 9 “Spinney kids”, 26 grandchildren, and nearly a dozen great grandchildren! She was the driving force behind bringing this large clan together for annual “Spinnsgiving” celebrations that always included a theme, games, challenges, a most unusual Yankee swap, and so much laughter. Kathy cherished her weekends and dinners with her Ya-Ya’s (Diane, Karen, Sue, Debbie, Donna, and Sharon), pushing them to embrace their fun side and nudging them out of their comfort zones. They once showed up to dinner all fully dressed as 1920’s flappers, including feather hats, cigarette holders, and long gloves. Despite many of them initially saying “No, way!”, Kathy was always able to convince them to go along with her brilliant and wild ideas. Bringing family and friends together was both a passion and a talent. Kathy worked as a lifelong server, starting at New Asia in Newington, NH, and winding down her career- after nearly 40 total years- as the longest running employee at Dante’s Italian Restaurant in Barrington, NH. She was loved and known for wearing costumes at any chance and as “Aunty Kathy” to the owners’ children. Around 2005, she opened Tillee’s Flowers with her cousin Sharon, and their first Valentine’s Day required all Ya-Ya’s on deck to help. After closing, they reopened the door for a desperate husband, on his knees, begging for a last second bouquet. She continued to share her floral talents, as she arranged gorgeous bouquets for the weddings of family members and friends. Kathy refinished furniture as a hobby and side-gig, bringing new life to old “junk” with a natural eye for their potential (Donny would include himself in this category). Some of her more recent pieces live in the homes of her children, while others were auctioned for charity or sold in 4 states. She sewed memory quilts and bears out of Tshirts, made 100’s of colorful masks during COVID, and turned Nana Fran’s sheer curtains into a wedding arbor sash. She had an amazing gift of endless creativity. Kathy’s light, love, laughter and endless kindness and energy will be so missed by her husband of 10 years Don Spinney, 3 sons- Paul DeFelice and wife Jaime of Centennial, CO, Tom and wife Jess of Rochester, NH, and Adam and wife Tami of Cambridge, ME, her Greco grandchildren: Evan, Kyle, Jacob, and Emily, her live-in grandson Sam Spinney, her Spinney clan of children, grandchildren, and greats, her Ya-Ya’s, and many lifelong friends. Along with her parents she was pre-deceased by her brother Gary D. O'Brien. The O’Brien, Greco and Spinney families would like to thank the wonderful staff at Wentworth-Douglass hospital for their skill, compassion, and excellent care provided to Kathy and to the family. Per Kathy's request, no formal services will be held, but a gathering will be planned for late spring. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society online by clicking here.

Kathleen A. "Kathy" (O'Brien) Spinney

February 25, 1957 - February 10, 2026