Catherine T. O’Connell, a longtime resident of Pleasantville, NY passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on May 14, 2014 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Kate was born in Yonkers, NY on March 22, 1929 to Cecelia (Martin) and John Lynn. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School and married Dr. James O’Connell on October 19, 1954 at Sacred Heart Church in Yonkers. Their union was blessed and enriched by six daughters, Catherine Hopkins (John), Rosita McNamara (Thomas), Bernadette Chiarlitti (Anthony), Maureen Leak (Kevin), Patricia Hoxsie (Ronald), Jamie O’Connell (Ronald Jendzejec), 21 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren, all of whom survive her. She is also survived by her sister, Marian Ricci, sister-in-laws Rosita O’Connell, Elena O’Connell and lifelong friends Alice O’Brien and Ann Blute. She was predeceased by her parents, and her loving brother-in-law, Bill O’Connell.
She spent her early married years as a fulltime mother, active in many church and school organizations, before working in the Financial Aid Office at Pace University until her retirement in 1994.
While at Pace, after five of her daughters had graduated from college, she fulfilled a lifelong dream: In May 1986, she proudly joined her youngest daughter in the academic procession as they graduated together from Pace University.
Central to Kate’s life was her Catholic faith, love of family and friends, and service to others. It was not unlike her to meet a stranger with groceries and offer the person a ride home. She enjoyed preparing and serving lunch to seniors at Holy Innocents, teaching CCD, and being a Eucharistic Minister. Kate and Jim traveled throughout the world but home was her favorite place to be. She was a woman of style, grace, and compassion, who loved and valued her family. She always looked forward to hosting family for the holidays, vacationing at the beach and shopping with her six daughters.
The family is deeply appreciative of the care and support provided by Phelps Hospice and Cynthia Kwakye, health aid.
The family will receive friends on Friday, May 23, from 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM at Beecher Flooks Funeral Home (beecherflooksfh.com). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, May 24, at 10 am at Holy Innocents R.C. Church followed by interment at All Souls Cemetery in Pleasantville, NY. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Phelps Hospice, Phelps Memorial Hospital Center, 701 North Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, NY, 10591 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2900 Westchester Avenue, Purchase, NY 10577.