Kathy Pei O’Shea

January 21, 1947 - September 21, 2021
Kathy Pei O’Shea

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Beloved Mother and Grandmother, Kathy Pei O’Shea, 74, of Wrightsville Beach, NC, passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 21, 2021 after a long and valiant battle with uterine cancer.

Kathy was born on January 21, 1947, in China. Her father was a General in the Republic of China Army. At two years old, Kathy and her family were forced to flee to Taiwan when the Communist Party took over in China. She and her three brothers were then raised in Taiwan. Kathy attended boarding school and college in Taiwan, receiving a bachelor’s degree in Finance.

After graduation, Kathy married and immigrated to the United States, where she had her only daughter. As her daughter grew-up, Kathy joined the workforce and began her professional career as a financial analyst for Atari, General Electric, Wang Laboratories and Digital Equipment Corporation.

In 1984, Kathy married Bill O’Shea, and joined him in the Bahamas, where Bill was the Officer in Charge of U.S. Customs. To keep busy and spend more time with Bill, Kathy took a job with U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Services at the airport in the Bahamas, where she enjoyed greeting tourists and many famous people as they boarded their flights to re-enter the United States after their tropical vacations.

Upon retiring from Digital Equipment Corporation in 1989, Kathy and Bill relocated to Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, where Bill had always dreamed of retiring. Kathy was not idle for long, and joined the Homeowner’s Association, where she served for over a decade, and ultimately as President for three years.

Kathy was predeceased by her beloved husband, William O’Shea, in May of 2021. She is survived by her daughter, Karen Vegas; son-in-law, Martin Vegas; three grandsons, Zachary, Griffin and Beckett Vegas; step-daughter, Joanne O’Shea Campbell; stepson-in-law, Michael Campbell; and stepdaughter, Sheila O’Shea Lehrschall Schwartz; and a host of step grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Cancer Center at the New Hanover Regional Medical Center Foundation in memory of Kathy.


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  • September 22, 2021
    Barbara Lewis lit a candle:
    Lit since September 22, 2021 at 9:30:57 AM

  • September 22, 2021
    Barbara Lewis says:
    Kathy was a dear friend and I will miss her. May she rest in peace with our Father in heaven.

  • September 26, 2021
    Steve Anastasio says:
    I worked with Kathy many years ago at GE. She was one of the smartest people i ever knew. She was sweet, caring and kind, always willing to help others. Also, she was an incredible cook, wowing my wife and I with her culinary creations. My deepest condolences to her family

  • September 29, 2021
    Richard Thomas says:
    Ms. OTHER was an annual customer to my farm and alway a delightful visitor. She loved the fresh tomatoes we sold and was always a great visitor. She called me when I retired and made my day! I know I am one of many people who will miss her smile and caring personality. May she rest in Peace.

  • September 29, 2021
    David Foster says:
    Kathy O'Shea was one of the most remarkable people I have ever met. She was president of the board nearly 13 years ago when I was hired to manage Seapath Tower. She sacrificed more than 2 months of her private life to bring me up to speed on all aspects of this $30 million property. Because of her dedication, we have been successful in helping Seapath Tower be the premier condo building on Wrightsville Beach. Her ability to recall dates, times, facts and figures was astonishing. Her record keeping was meticulous, and her desire to help others was tenacious. Kathy's generosity was exemplary. She would help others by giving of her time and resources. Her love and care for Bill was encouraging and selfless. The two of them made a formidable team. I will miss them both dearly, but I know they are now in the presence of the Lord and I will see them again.