OAKLAND, N.J. – Art therapist Rita O’Connor Kennelly of Oakland passed away on May 31. She was 51 years old.
The Englewood native “worked for many years as an art therapist sharing her love and selfless compassion through the arts in helping many people in need including substance abuse users, children without families, and Alzheimer's disease patients,” her obituary states .
But her “greatest love and passion was her beautiful family,” including her husband Steve, their three children, Ryan, Lia and Mary, and their extended family, her obituary states.
“She led by example and instilled in her kids the values of humility, empathy, dignity, integrity, grace, strength, resilience and so many other wonderful qualities that will sustain and carry them throughout their lives,” according to her obituary.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Art Therapy Without Borders, Inc. c/o Don Cutcher 144 Garston Court Gahanna, O.H. 43230.
