Kathleen O’Brien ‘02 (Seattle, MA) has published a new collection of poetry, Novena to Loss and Other Love Poems, with MoonPath Press. The collection grew out of O’Brien’s grief following the sudden death from cancer of her husband, John H. Cunningham, who was also an Antioch alum through the Meany Institute, in March 2022.
Through the collection, O’Brien explores grief, love, memory, and the lasting absence of someone deeply loved. The manuscript received an Honorable Mention in the 2025 Sally Albiso Poetry Competition, presented by MoonPath Press, which publishes poetry collections by writers from the Pacific Northwest.
Her connection to Antioch University Seattle has continued well beyond graduation. She was named a Distinguished Alumna in 2009 and later served on the Antioch University Seattle Board of Trustees.
O’Brien is also known for her books, articles, and papers on sustainable building and on supporting the health of the planet and the people who call it home. Now mostly retired, she lives on Bainbridge Island.
For more information about O’Brien and her work, visit her MoonPath Press author page or her personal website, Kathleen O’Brien: Poet & Author. The book is also available for purchase online from Barnes & Noble.
