Mary O’Neill
March 29, 1942 – April 7, 2017
Mary O’Neill, 75, died on Friday, April 7, 2017 at South Bay Hospital after a brief illness. She was born on March 29, 1942 in Middletown, N.Y., the first child for William and Grace Kunz. The family moved to Manchester, Conn. in 1956 where Mary attended high school. She then obtained a degree in dental hygiene from West Liberty State in West Virginia and returned to Manchester, Conn. She married Martin O’Neill in Manchester in February 1965. They resided in Vernon, Conn., until retirement in late 2000.
She had two daughters, Laurie Newman (Doug) in Coventry, Conn., and Kathleen O’Neill in Sun City Center, Fla. She is also survived by her brother William (Libby) Kunz of Burlington, Vt., their children and grandchildren.
During her 52 years of marriage, with breaks for child-care, Mary worked about 29 years as a dental hygienist for a large dental practice in Manchester, Conn. Her patients and co-workers became her friends. The family spent many vacations and weekends about 80 miles north on Contoocook Lake in Rindge, N.H. The lake home was maintained for family gatherings until late 2003. Beginning in 1986, she also maintained a condo in Surfside Beach, S.C. used for numerous vacations until retirement.
As a local retiree, Mary enjoyed quilting, golf, travel, neighborhood activities and events of the New England Club in Kings Point. She was a devoted member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church and participated for several years as a “culinary angel.” Mary was a loving and dutiful wife, homemaker and mother. She assisted her mom, who resides here in Sun City Center at the age of 100. She was a beautiful helpmate and the perfect counterpart for her husband’s tendency to be mechanical and analytical. She was a quiet but determined force for friendship, love and dedication to duty.
Expressions of shock, dismay, and sympathy, both local and from lifelong friends are overwhelming. Now we must carry on without her.
A funeral service is scheduled for Thursday, April 20, at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Sun City Center at 11 a.m.
Mary’s ashes will reside at the Saint Bernard Abbey Cemetery in Cullman, Ala. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.nationalcremation.com/location/ruskin.
She had two daughters, Laurie Newman (Doug) in Coventry, Conn., and Kathleen O’Neill in Sun City Center, Fla. She is also survived by her brother William (Libby) Kunz of Burlington, Vt., their children and grandchildren.
During her 52 years of marriage, with breaks for child-care, Mary worked about 29 years as a dental hygienist for a large dental practice in Manchester, Conn. Her patients and co-workers became her friends. The family spent many vacations and weekends about 80 miles north on Contoocook Lake in Rindge, N.H. The lake home was maintained for family gatherings until late 2003. Beginning in 1986, she also maintained a condo in Surfside Beach, S.C. used for numerous vacations until retirement.
As a local retiree, Mary enjoyed quilting, golf, travel, neighborhood activities and events of the New England Club in Kings Point. She was a devoted member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church and participated for several years as a “culinary angel.” Mary was a loving and dutiful wife, homemaker and mother. She assisted her mom, who resides here in Sun City Center at the age of 100. She was a beautiful helpmate and the perfect counterpart for her husband’s tendency to be mechanical and analytical. She was a quiet but determined force for friendship, love and dedication to duty.
Expressions of shock, dismay, and sympathy, both local and from lifelong friends are overwhelming. Now we must carry on without her.
A funeral service is scheduled for Thursday, April 20, at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Sun City Center at 11 a.m.
Mary’s ashes will reside at the Saint Bernard Abbey Cemetery in Cullman, Ala. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.nationalcremation.com/location/ruskin.