Ruth H. O'Connell

CENTERVILLE — Ruth H. (Kuhns) O'Connell, of Quincy and Centerville, died Nov. 21, 2007, at the William B. Rice Eventide Home.

She was the devoted wife of the late Herbert E. O'Connell; beloved mother of Kathleen O'Connell of West Yarmouth, retired Coast Guard Cmdr. Terence O'Connell of St. Peters, Mo., Ann O'Connell of Somerville, Gene Marie O'Connell of Corte Madera, Calif., and Amy O'Connell Ross of Quincy; loving sister of twin brothers, the late Alexander and Gustave Kuhns; cherished grandmother to 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; and aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Mrs. O'Connell, known as Ruthie to her family and friends, was born in Boston and lived most of her life in Wollaston. She graduated from Quincy High School in 1931 and Simmons College in 1935. Mrs. O'Connell was passionate about her work at Quincy City Hospital, where she was a medical technologist until her retirement as supervisor of the blood bank in 1979.

Upon retirement, Ruth and her husband, Herbert, moved to the Cape, settling in Centerville. They were active in the Barnstable Newcomers Club and Our Lady of Victory Church. She served on the boards of the Cape Cod Ostomy Association and the Cape Cod Simmons Club.

Ruth was foremost an avid reader, enjoying her daily newspaper, historic fiction, and mystery novels, and she passed the love of reading to her family. She loved discussing current events, doing difficult crossword puzzles, was a master expert at trivia, and enjoyed card games with friends. She was a dedicated Red Sox fan, thrilled to have lived long enough to see the last two World Series wins. In her earlier years, she derived much pleasure from gardening, sewing and knitting, traveling with her husband, and entertaining friends and family.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral from the Keohane Funeral Home, 785 Hancock St., Wollaston, on Monday, at 10:30 a.m., followed by a funeral Mass in St. Ann's Church, Wollaston, at 11:30 a.m. Visiting hours are Sunday, from 4 to 7 p.m. Burial is in Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mrs. O'Connell may be made to a charity of your choice.

For directions and online condolences, call 1-800-Keohane or see www.Keohane.com.