Obituary of Patricia O'Neill Adams

With great love, generosity and courage, Patricia O'Neill Adams, lived a long life of 91 years and brought happiness into the lives of those who knew her. We will miss her sharp mind, quick wit and infectious smile most of all.

Patricia was born in Washington, DC on October 1, 1931 and grew up in Arlington, VA at 5017 N. 13th Street, a Sears Roebuck historic home that her father built. She attended Radford College in Radford, VA and was a member of the Tri Delta Sorority.

She was the second-born daughter of Vera E. O'Neill and Reese L. O'Neill, of Arlington, VA, and later 5841 Padgett Circle, Orlando, FL. Her sister was Marjorie (Peggy) O. Schell (wife of Richard Schell), whom she admired so much for her faith and grace, passed away at a young age in 1958.

She was married twice, to James Robert Kilby and James Leon Adams, had three children and then devoted the rest of her life to her partner and companion Donald Wheatley of Deal Island, Md, whose death proceeded hers after 38 years together.

Patricia's career spanned 4 decades, beginning with her first job at the Pentagon and later at Radiation Technology in Florida where she contributed to the research team that supported the NASA space program. Later she transitioned into social work for seven nursing homes in NC. She directed a food program and operations center for the Senior Center in Durham, NC. She continued her social service activities helping migrant and seasonal farm workers as an administrator in MSFA (later known as Telamon Corporation) in Shelby, NC, before being selected as Program Coordinator for the statewide programs in Maryland and Delaware. She was then promoted to State Director in Georgia, overseeing the multi-million dollar job training, head start, and housing programs statewide. While in Maryland/Delaware and Georgia, she served on the national Association's (AFOP) board of directors.

She is survived by her three children: Zy Danielson (and husband Andrew Li) of Boulder, CO; Pam Boney (and husband Daniel C. Boney, III) of Charleston, SC and James Corbin Adams of Amarillo, TX. She is also survived by her granddaughter, Amber Rogers Osiecki (and husband Timothy Osiecki), and great-granddaughter, Alice Ann Osiecki, of Kensington, Md. She is also survived by her adopted daughter, Lorna Sampson (and her three children, Drew, Ian & Katie).

In lieu of a funeral service, there will be a private celebration graveside at the Greenwood Cemetery in Orlando, FL, later this year (on her birthday), where she will be buried with her parents, sister, and grandmother, Addie Sylvester Horner.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the MSA Hospice of Charleston, SC, which lovingly cared for her in her final days, or any hospice or church of choice. https://www.msahealthcare.com/

We also thank the expert and caring staff of Kempton at Charleston, where she lived her final days. Pam and Dan are sponsoring an appreciation and celebration of life for the devoted staff and her sweet friends at Kempton on Friday, February 17th, at 5:30 pm. The family will provide flowers and food for this celebration of her life.

It is Patricia's wish that these words be relayed to all her family and friends:

"I've lived a full and happy life and appreciate everyone who helped me to live it. If there is one major thing I have learned, the only thing that matters or holds credence is LOVE - given and received - for each other and God. I have loved each of you in a special and singular way. When you think of me, remember the LOVE, for nothing else in this life matters as much."