A celebration of life for Kathleen O’Brien will be held on Sunday, March 10 (1-4pm) at Neurolux, 111 N. 11th St. (next door to The Record Exchange).
Kathleen was a longtime member of The Record Exchange family and an integral part of the store’s history. Shortly after our founder Michael Bunnell moved The Record Exchange downtown from Orchard Street to the Hitchcock Building, Kathleen opened Posters Etc. next door. The two businesses later merged under The Record Exchange umbrella, and in 1994, Michael, Jil Sevy (his wife and business partner) and Kathleen purchased the Hitchcock, and The Record Exchange became the building’s primary tenant.
Kathleen was a passionate music lover who maintained a presence at The Record Exchange well into retirement. An avid supporter of local arts, she possessed a wry sense of humor and a deep well of generosity. Among the many friends she made here on our corner of the world, she will be greatly missed.
Here is Kathleen’s obituary:
Kathleen Louise O’Brien, 75, passed quietly from this life on Monday, February 5, 2024, after a years-long battle with cancer. Kathleen was born on January 24, 1949 in Nampa, Idaho, to Bertha Klemens and Harry O’Brien. The family moved to Boise, where Kathleen attended Capital High School, graduating in one of the school’s first graduating classes. Kathleen went on to receive her BA in English from Boise State University, and as a student she worked with professor Tom Trusky to help create and publish Cold Drill Magazine.
In the early ’80s, Kathleen opened Posters Etc in the Hitchcock Building next to The Record Exchange in downtown Boise. The two stores eventually merged, and she became a minor partner in the music store for a period of time. Kathleen was a great supporter of the arts, and while working at the store she edited and published a book of poetry, “Idaho+: Contemporary Poetry from the American West.” She also purchased works by many local artists, supported local musicians, and was an avid mystery reader, traveler and cat lover.
Kathleen was preceded in death by her mother Bertha O’Brien, father Harry O’Brien, sister Ellen O’Brien and brother Tim O’Brien. She leaves behind her godchildren Ian Bunnell, Eric Bunnell, Amy Kent and Mac Kent, and a community of people who loved her generous spirit, calm center and mischievous sense of humor. You’ll be in our hearts forever.
Donations to the Humane Society in Kathleen’s name would be appreciated.
I am so sorry I missed her Celebration of Life. I didn’t know about it. Kathleen was an all around wonderful person and a wonderful friend. I will miss her sweet smile and great sense of humor always.