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BORN

1934

DIED

2017

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Settle-Wilder Funeral Home and Cremation Service - New Smyrna Beach

406 S. Orange Street

New Smyrna Beach, Florida

Mary Lou O'Connell Obituary

Mary Lou died on December 20th at the Orlando Regional Health Center at the age of 83. Mary Lou was born to William and Ethel McFall on Feb 28th 1934 in Rochester N.Y. She graduated from Nazareth High School in 1951 and attended Nazareth College, receiving her BS degree, with a major in Speech Therapy, in 1955. She obtained her Masters in Speech Pathology in 1959, from Geneseo N.Y. State Teachers College. Mary Lou was employed by the Board of Cooperative Educational Services located in Fairport NY. She dedicated herself to helping children in the East Irondequoit School District who had speech and language problems. After 36 years, she retired in 1991. She married Bill (Wilmer) O'Connell on November 23, 1957 and they celebrated their 60th anniversary last month. Mary Lou is survived by several nieces and nephews. Since 2001, Mary Lou has been a six month resident of the Sea Woods community of New Smyrna Beach Fl. She has been instrumental in helping to establish the ladies S.W.A.G. association (Sea Woods Women Aging Gracefully) for several years; she has conducted floor exercise programs and with her friend Inez, instituted the Yoga program. Since 1972, she and her husband have spent their summers in the Adirondack Park, at their home on Big Moose Lake. Learning to play golf, she became part of the ladies nine-hole league at the Thendara Golf Club and she and her friend Joan, find time to manage pairings, tournaments and social gatherings throughout the summer. Each morning Mary Lou would get up early and pray for her friends, her former classmates, her husband and relatives. Making friends and loving and caring for them was a major goal. A memorial mass will be held on Monday Jan 8th at 12 noon at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church at 4000 S. Atlantic Ave. New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169. A reception will be held in the Parish Hall following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hubbard House, 29 West Miller Street, Orlando, FL 32807. Condolences may be sent to www.settlewilderfuneralhome.com.



Published by Daytona Beach News-Journal on Jan. 3, 2018.
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3 Entries

Mary Lou will be greatly missed by her Sea Woods family in New Smyrna Beach. Her quick smile and friendly disposition was evident to all and especially to newcomers. She never hesitated to help when requested, and was a wealth of information. The SWAG ladies will all miss her dearly and remember her fondly. It won't be the same without her at our SWAG activities and gatherings. Kathy Bechard

Kathy Bechard

January 8, 2018

We primary school teachers in East Irondequoit absolutely loved Mary Lou and all she did for her/our students, and the friendship she gave to us. Such a fun and happy person. Love to her family....

BARBARA Quinn

January 3, 2018

Frank and I send our deepest condolences. MaryLou was an excellent speech pathologist and I recall her cheerfulness when we worked together. It was a pleasure to see her last October at the Aquinas reunion.

Joanne and Frank Aprilano

January 3, 2018

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Memorial Events
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Jan

8

Memorial Mass

12:00 p.m.

Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church

4000 S. Atlantic Ave, New Smyrna Beach, FL

Funeral services provided by:

Settle-Wilder Funeral Home and Cremation Service - New Smyrna Beach

406 S. Orange Street, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168

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