Mary E. O'Donnell
Mary E. O’Donnell, of North Andover, died peacefully with family by her side on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020. Mary was born in Braintree on Oct. 9, 1925, the second oldest of seven children, to the late Francis and Eleanor (Mullen) Tully. Upon her graduation from Braintree High School she went to work at Filene’s Department Store in Boston. It was there she met her best friend and husband of 62 years, the late William (Bill) F. O’Donnell. From that point forward, family and friends were Mary’s focus, raising four beloved children, supporting Bill in his endeavors, and staying actively engaged with the many friends she and Bill had acquired during their lifetime. As the children grew, Mary instilled in them her love of reading. She also delivered on her belief in the importance of nourishing family meals as evidenced by the amazing holiday meals she prepared and the constant assortment of homemade baked goods and snacks she lovingly added to her children’s daily lunches. After years of managing her own household, as the children grew and went out on their own, Mary decided she needed an easier challenge, so she took jobs in office management positions in New York and Pennsylvania, as Bill’s career moved them around the country. Once retired, and back home in Massachusetts, Mary continued with her passion for reading, sharing her joy with elementary school children in North Andover. Her belief in the necessity of everyone receiving proper nourishment led her to volunteer with meals programs everywhere she lived. Mary is survived by her children, William O’Donnell and his wife Joey of Tucson, AZ, Gale O’Donnell and her husband John Walsh of North Andover, Michael O’Donnell and his wife Eileen of Manchester, CT, and Joseph O’Donnell and his wife Maureen of Stroudsburg, PA; grandchildren, Daniel O’Donnell and his wife Kyle, Matthew O’Donnell, Lauren Walsh, Brian Walsh and his wife Caroline Margolis, Kaitlyn O’Donnell, Kiera O’Donnell and her husband Brian, Kelly O’Donnell, Jack O’Donnell and Casey O’Donnell; great-grandchildren, Gabriella and Gavin O’Donnell. Also surviving are sister, Eleanor O’Donnell and her husband William of Saratoga Springs, NY, brother William Tully and his wife Ann of Camillus, NY, sister-in-law, Sally Tully of Vestal, NY, wife of her late brother Francis, brother-in-law Mark Sissons of Charlottesville, VA, husband of her late sister Naomi, sister-in-law Marie Madden of Brockton, MA, sister of Bill; and many nieces and nephews. A funeral mass will be celebrated Monday, Nov.16, 11:30 a.m. at St. Michael Church, with burial to follow in Ridgewood Cemetery, both in North Andover. A small family gathering will precede the mass at 10:00 a.m. at the Conte Funeral Home, 17 Third Street, North Andover, MA. In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial contribution to your local food bank or to the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, 735 Broadway St., Lowell, MA 01854 (mvfb.org). To leave online condolences, please visit www.contefuneralhomes.com.Obituary
Mary E. O’Donnell, of North Andover, died peacefully with family by her side on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020. Mary was born in Braintree on Oct. 9, 1925, the second oldest of seven children, to the late Francis and Eleanor (Mullen) Tully. Upon her graduation from Braintree High School she went to work at Filene’s Department Store in Boston. It was there she met her best friend and husband of 62 years, the late William (Bill) F. O’Donnell. From that point forward, family and friends were Mary’s focus, raising four beloved children, supporting Bill in his endeavors, and staying actively engaged with the many friends she and Bill had acquired during their lifetime. As the children grew, Mary instilled in them her love of reading. She also delivered on her belief in the importance of nourishing family meals as evidenced by the amazing holiday meals she prepared and the constant assortment of homemade baked goods and snacks she lovingly added to her children’s daily lunches. After years of managing her own household, as the children grew and went out on their own, Mary decided she needed an easier challenge, so she took jobs in office management positions in New York and Pennsylvania, as Bill’s career moved them around the country. Once retired, and back home in Massachusetts, Mary continued with her passion for reading, sharing her joy with elementary school children in North Andover. Her belief in the necessity of everyone receiving proper nourishment led her to volunteer with meals programs everywhere she lived. Mary is survived by her children, William O’Donnell and his wife Joey of Tucson, AZ, Gale O’Donnell and her husband John Walsh of North Andover, Michael O’Donnell and his wife Eileen of Manchester, CT, and Joseph O’Donnell and his wife Maureen of Stroudsburg, PA; grandchildren, Daniel O’Donnell and his wife Kyle, Matthew O’Donnell, Lauren Walsh, Brian Walsh and his wife Caroline Margolis, Kaitlyn O’Donnell, Kiera O’Donnell and her husband Brian, Kelly O’Donnell, Jack O’Donnell and Casey O’Donnell; great-grandchildren, Gabriella and Gavin O’Donnell. Also surviving are sister, Eleanor O’Donnell and her husband William of Saratoga Springs, NY, brother William Tully and his wife Ann of Camillus, NY, sister-in-law, Sally Tully of Vestal, NY, wife of her late brother Francis, brother-in-law Mark Sissons of Charlottesville, VA, husband of her late sister Naomi, sister-in-law Marie Madden of Brockton, MA, sister of Bill; and many nieces and nephews. A funeral mass will be celebrated Monday, Nov.16, 11:30 a.m. at St. Michael Church, with burial to follow in Ridgewood Cemetery, both in North Andover. A small family gathering will precede the mass at 10:00 a.m. at the Conte Funeral Home, 17 Third Street, North Andover, MA. In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial contribution to your local food bank or to the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, 735 Broadway St., Lowell, MA 01854 (mvfb.org). To leave online condolences, please visit www.contefuneralhomes.com.
Events
11:30 AM
North Andover, MA 01845