Dover, NH: On August 17, 2018, Dorothea “Thea” O’Connell, departed from us too soon after a sudden and brief illness at Reston Hospital, surrounded by loving friends and family. Thea was born on July 26, 1948, in Boston, Massachusetts, the daughter of Clarence “Chuck” and Mary (Stamnas) O’Connell. She grew up in Rochester, NH, where she still has many friends, and graduated from Dover High School. Thea attended the University of New Hampshire and a worked for the Portsmouth Herald as a journalist. Later, she became a photojournalist in West Lafayette, Indiana, and after that, editor of the Burlington Free Press, in Burlington, Vermont. In Reston, Virginia, Thea worked as a technical editor for Oracle before she retired. Thea loved her dogs: her two huge Great Danes, and two tiny dogs, Bo and Connor. She also adored the beach (her “happy place”), nature’s beauty, her family and friends, writing, swimming, and working out, and gardening. Reading Nora Roberts’ crime mysteries was a favorite pastime. She will be remembered by many for her beauty, intelligence, wry humor, generosity, compassionate and loving friendship, and adventurous, mischievous spirit. Thea is survived by her father, Clarence O’Connell of Dover, NH, her husband, Thomas Pinkerton, of Reston, Virginia, her daughter, Kristen O’Connell, of Frederick, Maryland; her stepson Michael Pinkerton of Reston, Virginia, her brother, Christopher O’Connell and his wife, Judy, of Madbury, NH; her sister, Elizabeth O’Connell, of Warren, RI; her nieces and nephews, Selena Millard of Narragansett, Rhode Island, Alex O’Connell, of Lebanon, Maine, and Zachary Millard, of Warren , R.I.; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Thea is predeceased by her mother, Mary Stamnas O’Connell. Friends and family may visit Thea at the Wiggin-Purdy-McCooey-Dion Funeral Home at 655 Central Avenue, Dover, NH. on Wednesday, August 22, from 5pm to 7pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Thea’s name to the charity of one’s choice. A celebration of Thea’s life and graveside funeral services will be held at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cemetery on Dover Point Road, (Spur Road) Dover, NH. on Thursday, August 23, at 10am. Those who wish may say a few words: sharing a memory, gratitude for Thea’s influence or help, or ways she inspired love or friendship. To sign our online guestbook, please go to www.purdyfuneralservice.com